At least 240 people were detained nationwide.

In central Amsterdam, officers unleashed a water cannon after a row of mounted police and canine units moved in on a rally there.

Protesters threw stones and fireworks with banners that said, Stop the lock down.

36 year old Melissa spoke to Reuters in downtown Amsterdam.

E do not agree with the actual politics in the Netherlands and the restrictions of freedom.

Thea Elderly are vulnerable, but there are also many young people who are vulnerable and young people are the future off this country.

Restaurant owners had organized the Amsterdam protests on the second day off tougher limits, including a nightly curfew for the first time since World War Two.

Fearing a riot or a disease spreading event, the mayor designated the Museum Square as a high risk zone and gave police the power to preemptively frisk people for weapons.

According to the national broadcaster, it was one of the least 10 cities where riot police had been deployed.

It also said vehicles had been set on fire and there were reports of writers looting stores, schools and non essential shops have been shut since mid December following the closure of bars and restaurants two months earlier.

Overall new infections in the country have been declining for a month and fell again on Sunday.