Protesters took to the streets across France on Saturday for the fourth weekend in a row to rally against a new health pass needed to enter a cafe or travel on an inter-city train, two days before the new rules come into force. The new rules championed by President Emmanuel Macron make it obligatory to have either a full course of vaccination against COVID-19, be in possession of a negative test or be recently recovered from the virus to enjoy usually routine activities. Macron, who faces re-election next year, hopes the new rules will encourage all French to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and defeat the virus and its fast-spreading Delta variant.

Thousands of COVID-19 skeptic anti-vaccine protesters took to the streets of Paris, holding signs with messages like 'No to the health pass' and 'Vaccine - keep away from our children'. 

Anti-vaccination protesters have complained that the use of COVID-19 passports is an imposition on their freedom and civil liberties. Government spokesman Gabriel Attal said that the pass, which under current rules will be required until November 15, was needed to avoid further restrictions as the country fights the fourth wave of the COVID-19 epidemic.

President Macron, who is currently at his holiday residence in the south of France, has in recent days repeatedly taken to the social media platform TikTok, popular among young people, to get his message across. 'Get vaccinated. Get vaccinated. Get vaccinated,' Macron said in the latest video Friday. 'It's a question of being a good citizen... our freedom is worth nothing if we infect our friends, neighbors or grandparents. To be free is to be responsible.' 

Authorities deployed riot police to deal with the protesters after previous scenes of violence across the country. This comes as Italy prepares to introduce its own 'green pass system, where those who have at least one vaccine dose or have recovered from COVID-19 or who have tested negative within the past 48 hours will be allowed to access gyms and restaurants.

In Italy, people have accepted the need to use the COVID-19 passports. The system, which will start on Friday, will be mandatory for everyone over the age of 12.

However, measures to help stop the spread of COVID-19 have been controversial in France, with opponents, who have turned out en masse in the streets, arguing that the rules encroach on civil liberties in a country where individual freedom is prized. 

From Monday, the health pass will be needed to eat in a restaurant or enjoy a drink in a cafe both indoors and on a terrace. It will be obligatory on inter-city transport including high-speed trains and domestic flights although will not be needed on metro systems and suburban transport. Pictured: Protesters set off smoke bombs and flares during the demonstration. 

Members of the Yellow Vest movement have joined the anti-vax protesters and those opposed to Emmanuel Macron's government in regular demonstrations. In one of several protests planned in Paris alone, hundreds began gathering at Pont de Neuilly metro station on the outskirts for a march to the center, chanting 'freedom!' and 'no to the health pass'. The pass has already been required since July 21 to visit cultural venues such as cinemas, theaters and museums. Its extension was approved by France's Constitutional Council on Thursday.

The protesters have been on the streets of Paris for the past four weeks demonstrating against President Macron's anti-Covid policy. The interior ministry said over 200,000 people turned out last weekend and more than 160,000 the weekend before for the protests. Police do not expect the numbers to decrease this weekend. Although many of the protesters are among those refusing to be vaccinated, some have taken the jabs but object to the principle of the health pass.