Thousands of protesters gathered in Prague on Sunday to protest the Czech government's vaccine mandate for certain groups.

The protesters marched in the capital city, shouting, "Freedom!" and claiming the mandate violates their constitutional rights.

The outgoing government tightened pandemic protocols last week, mandating citizens 60 years and older, medical workers, law enforcement, firefighters, and medical students get vaccinated against COVID-19.

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One person was arrested, and demonstrators did not appear to socially distance or wear masks.

The measure, set to take effect in March, may be short-lived. A new center-right coalition will be sworn into power soon, which does not support the mandate for citizens 60 and older. However, it has signaled it may allow the mandate for certain occupations to go into effect.

Czechs also turned out in the thousands to protest strict coronavirus restrictions in November on the anniversary of the anti-Communist Velvet Revolution.

Virus Outbreak Europe
FILE - Demonstrators gather to protest against the government restriction measures to curb the spread of COVID-19 during celebrations of the 32nd anniversary of the pro-democratic Velvet Revolution that ended communist rule in 1989 in Prague, Czech Republic, Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2021. This was supposed to be the Christmas in Europe where family and friends could once again embrace holiday festivities and one another. Instead, the continent is the global epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic as cases soar to record levels in many countries.(AP Photo/Petr David Josek, File) Petr David Josek/AP


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While new cases peaked in the country at the end of November, numbers have steadily declined over the last several weeks.

A poll released at the beginning of December showed nearly 20% of the population opposed getting vaccinated, while 50% opposed vaccine mandates. About 60% of the Czech Republic's citizens have been vaccinated. Neighboring Austria unequivocally mandated the vaccine for everyone last month.