Protests against Haiti govt virus response on flag day

Protests and pandemic measures marked the day Haiti traditionally pays homage to its tricolor flag on Monday.

Small groups of protestors threw rocks at police in the upscale Delmas district of the capital and blocked streets with burning tyres, were quickly dispersed by tear-gas firing police.

Much of the capital remains shut down due to the spread of the new coronavirus, although official numbers of those infected remain relatively low.

But the Pan American Health Organization warned last week that, "there is real danger of a large-scale outbreak followed by a humanitarian crisis in Haiti," and the organization emphasized the island is "ill-prepared to deal with a surge in cases," because of its decrepit health care system.

The government of Jovenel Moise is also dealing with a political crisis that started over a year ago, leading to sometimes bloody street protests and a political stand-off with little sign of resolution.

With little support, Moise's Administration has difficulties creating emergency health measures.

Traditionally Flag Day was marked with parades and gala celebrations throughout the island, that is widely embraced by the population.

This year the Haitian Government canceled public events because of the pandemic, and the only public displays were protestors clashing with police.