Why is the Netherlands rioting over COVID?

Last week, as the more contagious coronavirus variant began to spread within the Netherlands, the government announced a strict lockdown, including a nighttime curfew between 9 p.m. and 4:30 a.m. The curfew, the first since World War II, came despite falling cases and contrasted with the country s comparatively lax restrictions early in the pandemic. But since Saturday, the image of the Netherlands as a bucolic country of bridges and bikes has taken a turn, as the worst riots in 40 years have swept over 10 cities in response to the lockdowns. Rioters blew up a pedestrian bridge in Amsterdam, while others burned bikes, looted and vandalized property, and clashed with police. After three days of unrest, Tuesday night saw smaller crowds, more police, and less violence. Yet the country is still on high alert, as the national police chief warned that this reprieve doesn t necessarily mean the riots have ended.

via slate.com