A woman waits for the traffic light in Ljubljana, Slovenia, Dec. 17, 2020. The Slovenian government decided on Thursday to allow more shops to reopen from Dec. 19 to 23 during the holiday season. (Photo by Zeljko Stevanic/Xinhua)

Slovenian police used water cannons and tear gas on Wednesday to disperse thousands protesting against toughened COVID-19 restrictions. 

Police said around 8,000 people attended the demonstration, making it the biggest so far against health restrictions in the small Alpine country of 2 million.

"Police intervened to disperse the rally after protesters started throwing bottles, stones and firecrackers," a police statement said. 

Private news website N1 reported some officers had been injured, and several protesters had been detained as smaller groups continued to clash with police in the center of the capital Ljubljana.

The latest restrictions that came into force on Wednesday include a so-called "PCT" certificate as a condition to go to work or visit shops.

To obtain a certificate citizens will need to have either been vaccinated, tested or to have recovered from the virus.

They come as the number of those infected surges with only 45 percent of the population vaccinated. 

"Stop the corona fascism" or "Freedom, where are you?!" read some of the banners at the protest, organized through social networks by groups, including those denying the existence of COVID-19.

AFP