SEOUL, South Korea—Hundreds of small business owners rallied in South Korea’s capital on Wednesday, calling for the withdrawal of a curfew and tough coronavirus restrictions on restaurants, cafes, gyms, and other facilities. The protesters pumped their fists in the air and chanted, “Guarantee the right to live!” and “Scrap restrictions on business operations!” Some jeered…

UTRECHT, Netherlands—Several thousand people gathered in the central Dutch town of Utrecht on Saturday to protest against new coronavirus restrictions that came into force last weekend. Protesters walked through the streets of the town carrying banners saying “Medical Freedom Now!” and waving Dutch flags. A heavy police presence was visible along the route of the…

Most coronavirus restrictions have been removed in Scotland after the country moved beyond level-0 at midnight. Legal requirements for physical distancing—except in health care settings—and gatherings have been removed, and all venues, including nightclubs, are now able to reopen. Some measures, such as the requirement to wear face coverings indoors in public places and on…

LONDON—Sparkling wine, confetti, a midnight countdown: It’s not New Year’s Eve, but it might as well be for England’s clubbers. After 17 months of empty dance floors, the country’s nightclubs are reopening with a bang. From London to Liverpool, thousands of young people plan to dance the night away at “Freedom Day” parties the moment…

LISBON—Portugal’s government has come under fire from lawmakers for sending contradictory COVID-19 messages after allowing thousands of English soccer fans to party in Porto for Saturday’s Champions League final, despite coronavirus restrictions. In the days leading up to Saturday’s final between Chelsea and Manchester City, big crowds of English fans, who were largely maskless and…

PARIS—France may introduce stricter coronavirus restrictions for British visitors when tourism reopens this summer to prevent the spread of a virus variant first detected in India and causing concern in Britain, authorities said Sunday. The possibility of tighter restrictions for British tourists was raised Sunday by Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian. The minister suggested that…

BERLIN—German health minister Jens Spahn on Friday dampened hopes that further coronavirus restrictions will be lifted soon, saying rising infections could mean that curbs to slow the spread of the virus may have to be re-imposed. “The rising case numbers may mean that we cannot take further opening steps in the weeks to come. On…

STOCKHOLM—Swedish police on Saturday dispersed hundreds of opponents of coronavirus restrictions who staged a protest in the capital Stockholm in defiance of a ban on large gatherings. Police blocked a bridge in the centre of the city and said on their website they were in dialogue with organisers to persuade demonstrators to disperse. TV images…

AMSTERDAM—Rioters looted stores, set fires, and clashed with police in several Dutch cities on Sunday, resulting in more than 240 arrests, police and Dutch media reported. The unrest came on the second day of new, tougher coronavirus restrictions, including a night curfew, which had prompted demonstrations. Police used water cannon, dogs, and mounted officers to…

PARIS—French police shut down on Saturday a huge party in northwestern France that had been under way since New Year’s Eve in defiance of a curfew and coronavirus restrictions on large gatherings. About 2,500 people had attended the rave party in an unused warehouse in Lieuron, near Rennes, and some clashed with police on Saturday,…