Seven people have been injured after police fired warning shots when riots broke out in the Dutch city of Rotterdam<\/a> during protests against new Covid<\/a> restrictions.<\/p>\n Police said dozens of arrests had been made and officers were among the injured, with units from across the Netherlands dispatched to help restore order.\u00a0Two people were believed to have been hurt by police warning shots.<\/p>\n The violent unrest was linked to anger among some Dutch citizens at plans by the government to restrict access for unvaccinated people to select venues.<\/p>\n Riot police used water cannon in an attempt to move several hundred of rioters from a central street in the city.<\/p>\n Officers issued an emergency ordinance in\u00a0Rotterdam, shutting down public transport and ordering people to go home.<\/p>\n \u201cThe police are present in large numbers and are trying to restore order,\u201d Rotterdam police said. \u201cMaximum deployment of the police is necessary to restore public order. Emergency order is still in force, stay away from Coolsingel.\u201d<\/p>\n Photos in Dutch media showed at least one police car ablaze and another with a bicycle smashed through the windscreen.<\/p>\n Police spokesperson Patricia Wessels told the Reuters news agency: \u201cWe fired warning shots and there were also direct shots fired because the situation was life-threatening.<\/p>\n \u201cWe know that at least two people were wounded, probably as a result of the warning shots, but we need to investigate the exact causes further.\u201d<\/p>\n Witnesses with video of the riots were urged to submit footage to the police.<\/p>\n The government has said it wants to introduce a law that would allow businesses to restrict the country\u2019s coronavirus pass system to only people who are fully vaccinated or have recovered from Covid-19, excluding people who test negative.<\/p>\n A partial lockdown came into force a week ago after the country saw record numbers of infections.<\/p>\n A partial lockdown came into force a week ago after the country saw record numbers of infections.<\/p>\n #Rotterdam<\/a> heel gek. pic.twitter.com\/yr429dhUC3<\/a><\/p>\n — Plakplaat (@Plakplaat63) November 19, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n