Ottawa declares emergency over trucker Covid rules protests

The mayor of Canada's capital Ottawa has declared a state of emergency in response to more than a week of truckers' protests against Covid restrictions.

Jim Watson said the city was "completely out of control", with demonstrators outnumbering police, reports BBC.

He said the protests posed a threat to the safety and security of residents.

The truckers have paralysed the centre of Ottawa with vehicles and tents blocking roads.

The "Freedom Convoy" began as a movement against a government requirement that the truckers be vaccinated against Covid.