Santiago protesters demand virus lockdown benefits

Protesters in Chile's capital Santiago blocked a street on Monday, demanding government benefits to cope with the coronavirus lockdown.

The protesters are considered middle class according to social security regulations, so they're excluded from benefits made available for people affected by the crisis.

Demonstrators gathered on the streets and set up barricades in the area.

Police tried to persuade the protesters to stop, pointing out that they were breaching quarantine rules, but the demonstrations continued.

They were later dispersed by police using water cannon.

A number of similar protests have taken place in Santiago in recent weeks.

Chilean authorities reported on Monday close to 74,000 COVID-19 cases and 529 deaths, most of them in the Santiago metropolitan area.