AMSTERDAM, May 5 — The mayor of The Hague today issued a statement ordering police to break up a demonstration by around 200 people who had gathered to protest against measures ordered by the government to slow the country’s coronavirus outbreak.

Police said in a statement that they were "detaining demonstrators that ignore the mayor’s order”. Local press agency ANP said dozens had been detained.

The Dutch government has banned public gatherings since mid-March, with people required to stand at least 1.5 metres apart in public spaces. — Reuters