Berlin police have ordered a halt to a march protesting the German government’s Covid-19 response due to non-compliance with social distancing guidelines.

“Unfortunately, we have no other option: We approached the leader of the demonstration and informed him that his meeting would be dissolved by the police,” Berlin police tweeted.

Around 3,000 police officers have been deployed to monitor the march that was headed to Berlin’s iconic Brandenburg gate where up to 20,000 people are expected to gather. 

“All previous measures have not led to compliance with the requirements,” police added, specifically “non-compliance with the distance regulations according to the Infection Protection Act, despite constant requests by the meeting management & our colleagues.”