BREAKING NEWS

Berlin bans protest against coronavirus curbs

The city of Berlin has banned demonstrations planned for this weekend to oppose measures imposed to stem the coronavirus pandemic, after organizers of a rally earlier this month failed to ensure marchers wore masks and kept their distance.

Andreas Geisel, the Berlin interior senator, said the authorities had to strike a balance between the right to freedom of assembly and the need to protect people against infection.

"We are still in the middle of a pandemic with rising infection figures," he said.