The massive action of the people of Ukraine against the lockdown of the region in an effort to contain the spread of COVID-19 is getting hotter. As a result, a police officer collapsed and 40 others suffered burns due to throwing chemical gas during the clashes with thousands of protesters.

“One policeman was hit on the head and he passed out. Another 40 suffered chemical burns, “the Interior Ministry said in a statement quoted by Reuters on Wednesday, December 16.

The clashes between protesters and police were sparked by the action of some people trying to set up tenten on the Kyiv Independence Square. As a result, police officers tried to ban the action, resulting in clashes.

Earlier, President Volodymyr Zelensky’s government announced a national lockdown starting in January. This effort was made because the number of COVID-19 transmissions has increased.

So far Ukraine has confirmed 925,321 cases of COVID-19 transmission. Among them, there were 15,792 cases died.

Under the new lockdown, the government will close schools, restaurants, gyms, entertainment centers, and a ban on mass gatherings. The rules will take effect from January 8 to 24.

Meanwhile, last month, the government imposed a lockdown at the weekend. The masters of the policy are trying to close down business centers and limit the activities of Ukrainians which ended on December 2.