Demonstrations against pandemic restrictions continued for a second day in New Zealand, with protesters camped outside the country's parliament to voice out their anger.
Hundreds of people opposing vaccine mandates and pandemic restrictions blocked thoroughfares outside New Zealand's parliament on Tuesday, mainly triggered by similar protests in Canada.
The majority of the protesters were without any face covering and their vehicles clogged central Wellington streets for hours as they exited their vehicles to meet and speak on Parliament's forecourt.
Among the protesters' grievances is New Zealand's requirement that certain workers, including doctors, teachers, nurses, and even police and military personnel, receive coronavirus vaccinations.
Protesters are mostly against mask mandates - such as those in stores and among children over the age of eight in school classrooms - and advocate for increased "liberty."
According to local reports, approximately 100 police officers have gathered in front of the parliament
In contrast to previous rallies, New Zealand's legislators have largely ignored this week's protests, with local media reporting that not a single lawmaker has gone to meet the crowd.
Jacinda Ardern, New Zealand's prime minister, has also dismissed the protesters as a fringe group.
"I believe it would be incorrect to characterize what we have seen outside in any way as a representation of the majority," Ardern told reporters on Tuesday.
Earlier in the day, Ardern told lawmakers that the COVID-19 pandemic will not end with the Omicron variant and that New Zealand will need to prepare for additional virus variants this year.
For the last two years, Ardern's government has imposed some of the strictest pandemic restrictions in order to keep the coronavirus at bay.
The policies contributed to a low rate of infection and death. New Zealand, a country of 5 million people, has had approximately 18,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 53 deaths to date. On Wednesday, New Zealand reported approximately 200 new infections.
Ardern has also promised not to impose additional lockdowns, despite the fact that approximately 77% of New Zealanders are fully vaccinated.
Each day, health officials report approximately 200 new virus cases as an outbreak of the omicron variant spreads. At the moment, 147 people are hospitalized as a result of the virus.
However, the duration of numerous restrictions - including a minimum 10-day isolation period and a vaccine mandate - has fueled community displeasure.
Public opinion polls indicate growing dissatisfaction with Ardern's government, and protest activity has increased in recent months.
