Rising cases of Omicron variant of Covid-19 have pushed Netherlands into another lockdown
Netherlands has gone into strict national lockdown from today, i.e., Sunday, December 19, 2021, over rising cases of Omicron variant.
The lockdown was announced by the Prime Minister of Netherlands – Mark Rutte on Saturday, i.e., December 18, 2021. The lockdown will remain in place till January 14, 2021.
As per the new measures, all non-essential shops, bars, gyms hairdressers and other public venues will be closed. Schools will also remain closed till January 9, 2021. Only 2 guests per household are allowed. During Christmas and New Year Eve, 4 guests per household will be allowed.
Addressing the Press Conference, Rutte said, “I stand here tonight in a sombre mood,” Rutte said. “The Netherlands will go back into lockdown from tomorrow. It is inevitable with the fifth wave and with Omicron spreading even faster than we had feared. We must now intervene as a precaution.”
Taking it to twitter, Rutte tweeted (translated In English), “The advance of the omicron variant will lead to an increase in the number of corona patients in hospitals this year. That’s faster than expected. That is why the Netherlands will go into lockdown from December 19 to at least January 14.” Original tweet in Dutch:
De opmars van de omikronvariant leidt nog dit jaar tot een stijging van het aantal coronapatiënten in de ziekenhuizen. Dat is sneller dan verwacht. Daarom gaat Nederland van 19 december t/m in ieder geval 14 januari in lockdown.https://t.co/7pWX06aoeG#AlleenSamen pic.twitter.com/3fFmSZp1X8
— Mark Rutte (@MinPres) December 18, 2021
Under the new rules, people are being urged to stay at home as much as possible. Restaurants can continue to sell takeaway meals, and non-essential shops can offer click and collect services. While the Government allowed the sport matches, they would be held without spectators.
Essential shops such as supermarkets and drugstores are allowed to remain open till 8:00 p.m. Services such as gas stations, pharmacies, libraries, driving schools, the notary or lawyer are open.
Curfews have been placed on hospitality and cultural venues. Rutte also warned that not imposing lockdown would lead to “an unmanageable situation in hospitals”.
The Dutch National Institute for Public Health has reported more than 2.9 million cases of Omicron variant. Officials say it is expected to become the dominant variant by the New Year. The lockdown would allow the Government to vaccinate the people with booster jab. More than 85% of all adults in the Netherlands have been vaccinated, but less than 9% have had the booster shot. It would also allow hospitals to prepare for the rising cases, if any.
The Europe has been in the grip of Omicron variant. France, the Republic of Ireland and Germany have also announced measures designed to curb the infections. France has also imposed travel restrictions on those entering from the United Kingdom (U.K.), the most affect country by Omicron. It accounts for 60% of Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in England.
