Protests erupted in New Zealand on Tuesday against COVID-19 restrictions and vaccinations, similar to the ongoing agitation in Canada.

Hundreds of people protesting vaccine and mask mandates drove in a convoy of trucks and campervans to block streets near the parliament in Wellington, as lawmakers reconvened after a summer break, according to a report by Associated Press. 

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Most of the protestors were unmasked, and the vehicles had messages like ‘give us back our freedom’, ‘coercion is not consent’, and ‘political language is designed to make lies sound truthful’, tapered to them. 

The protestors voiced their opposition to the requirement for certain workers, such as doctors, police, teachers, and military personnel, to get their COVID-19 vaccines. Many of them are also against the mask mandates for entering stores, and among children over the age of eight in classrooms. 

The trucks gathered outside the parliament building, called ‘The Beehive’, to listen to speeches against the mandates. 

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Prime Minister Jacinda Arden, however, chose not to meet with them as she continued with her address to the lawmakers regarding her government’s priorities for the year. 

The protest organizers urged protestors to move their cars and trucks before the evening rush hour at 5 pm. Police has not made any arrests so far, Associated Press reported. 

New Zealand was among the first countries in the world to respond to the pandemic with stringent lockdowns, allowing it to contain the virus outbreak to a large extent. The country is now reporting over 200 virus cases daily, fuelled by the contagious omicron variant. 

PM Arden announced last week that New Zealand would end its quarantine requirements for travellers entering the country after it opened its borders. She has also promised that she will not be imposing further lockdowns in the country, with nearly 77% of the citizens fully vaccinated. 

(With inputs from Associated Press)