Protesters hold a banner reading "Kurz must go" at Maria Theresien Platz during a demonstration against the coronavirus restrictions. (Photo: Reuters)

Vienna, January 16 (RHC)-- Thousands of people marched through Vienna on Saturday to protest against restrictions on public life designed to curb the coronavirus pandemic, just as Chancellor Sebastian Kurz’s government held talks about extending the measures.

Chanting demonstrators -- many without masks -- held signs saying “Kurz Must Go” and “Make Influenza Great Again” during marches through the city center.

Austria, a country of 8.9 million people, is in its third lockdown, with only essential shops open.  The country has reported nearly 39,000 coronavirus cases and almost 7,000 COVID-19 linked deaths since the pandemic began last year.

Public health experts said after meeting government officials that infection rates were too high to consider easing restrictions at this point.