Netherlands lockdown: Dutch to enter strictest measures – panic over surging Omicron cases | World | News


Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte made the announcement as the EU country struggles to contain a surge of the Omicron COVID-19 variant. The measures, which include all schools closing from Monday, will be in place until at least January 14.

Mr Rutte said the lockdown was “unavoidable” due to the fifth Covid wave – of the Omicron variant – sweeping the continent.

The Prime Minister said the nation needed to do it all could to limit the surge.

In a televised address, he said: “I stand here tonight in a sombre mood.

“And a lot of people watching will feel that way too.

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But according to Dutch media, hairdressers and gyms will also shut until at least January 14.

The latest rules follow a 5pm to 5am curfew which was imposed on shops, bars and restaurants across the Netherlands at the end of November.

Mr Rutte’s announcement came just hours after the Dutch National Institute for Public Health (RIVM) reported a total of more than 2.9 million Covid cases since the start of the pandemic.

The EU country has recorded 20,420 deaths over the same period.

The institute also reported 14,616 new infections across 24 hours.



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