Protests and riots have broken out across Europe against restrictions being implemented to curb the latest outbreak of COVID-19.
Protesters have been setting fire to bins, clashing with police and ransacking designer stores as the continent deals with a new wave of the virus.
This comes after the World Health Organization's Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned that abandoning efforts to control the virus would be "dangerous", the Guardian reported.
He acknowledged that many are experiencing 'pandemic fatigue' but urged people around the world to keep fighting the virus.
"It's tough and the fatigue is real," he said. "But we cannot give up."
On Monday Italy, which was one of the original epicentres of coronavirus, recorded a new daily record of 21,273 coronavirus cases and 128 deaths.
The soaring numbers of new cases prompted the government to order the closure of bars, cafes, and restaurants by 6pm and the complete closure of gyms, swimming pools, cinemas and theatres.
But violence erupted on the streets of Italian city Turin on Monday in protest against the restrictions.
Photos from the night show demonstrators smashing the windows of city buildings and looting designer stores. Police then fired tear gas to disperse the crowds.
In a Facebook post on Tuesday, the mayor of Turin Chiara Appendino condemned the violence.
"Full solidarity and appreciation to the law enforcement that last night faced the criminal actions of the violence that polluted the peaceful demonstration of traders, entrepreneurs and workers," she wrote.
"Violence that was organised to destroy, not to protest. The police station has already identified some responsible people."
In Milan, protesters took to the streets chanting "freedom, freedom, freedom".
Some people reportedly hurled petrol bombs at police and 28 people were arrested, the Sun and Guardian reported.
According to ABC News, dozens of masked protesters were seen in Rome after the far-right group Forza Nuova called for protests.
Spain's government also recently announced a six-month-long state of emergency and imposed a nationwide curfew.
Last week, Spain became the first western European country to record more than 1 million COVID-19 infections, the Guardian reported.
However, the prime minister Pedro Sánchez said that studies suggested the real number was three times higher.
"The more we stay at home and the fewer the contacts we have, the more protected we'll be, and the more we'll be able to protect our loved ones and the health of everyone," Sanchez said.
But hundreds of people protested the restrictions in Barcelona, setting fire to bins and lighting flares on the streets.
Many of the demonstrators were calling for greater investment in public healthcare.
Currently, France is also considering new lockdowns during the new wave of COVID-19.
The government is considering extending existing curfews, fully keeping residents at home on weekends or all week and closing non-essential businesses, AP reported.
