Tens of thousands of people demonstrated in Vienna on Saturday in opposition to new restrictions aimed at containing the spread of coronavirus in Austria, including mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations and home confinement orders for the unvaccinated.

Around 1,400 police officers were on duty to supervise the protest, which drew an estimated 44,000 people and was held in response to a similar event in Austria's capital last week.

Three people were arrested, police said, for various offenses, including the use of explosives and failing to comply with the obligation to wear masks. Journalists covering the event, which began in Heldenplatz square, were hit with snowballs and ice, and one reporter was the target of an attempted assault, according to police.

Herbert Kickl, the right-wing Austrian Freedom Party leader, addressed the gathering, criticizing the government's reaction to the outbreak. He asserted that the public was unaware they were being "kicked in the arse" by the administration and continued protests.

Some 2,500 people marched in Klagenfurt against the limitations, while 150 people demonstrated in Linz.

Faced with an increase in everyday illnesses, Austria became the first country in Western Europe last month to reimpose a lockdown and announce that vaccines would become required in February.

Protesters in Vienna hoisted banners reading "No to compulsory vaccination" and "Hands off our children" while chanting "We are the people," and "resistance."

With an 8.9 million-person population, Austria has reported 1.2 million coronavirus illnesses and over 13,000 deaths since the pandemic began last year.