German police used water cannons and pepper spray to disperse people protesting coronavirus restrictions in Berlin's government district after crowds ignored calls to wear masks and keep their distance from one another in line with pandemic regulations, AP has reported.

As water sprayed from the cannons rained down on protesters outside the landmark Brandenburg Gate, police in riot gear moved through the crowd carrying away some participants. Some demonstrators threw fireworks, flares and other objects in response as police helicopters hovered overhead.

Officers avoided shooting the cannons directly at protesters because there were children in the crowd, and they worked slowly and methodically to disperse the crowd, Berlin police spokesman Thilo Cabiltz said.

Some protesters popped open umbrellas and held their ground until they were eventually forced back.