Netherlands to Impose Another Lockdown Following Rising Omicron Cases

Due to the rising number of new cases of Omicron coronavirus, Netherlands residents have begun to shop ahead of an impending lockdown.

The new lockdown expected to be imposed in the European country will be similar in magnitude to the popular worldwide lockdown of 2020, in which all shops and offices were closed except those deemed to be ‘essential.’ However, there will be slight differences.

Home visits will be limited to once a day, with no more than two people over the age of 13. Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Eve will see that number increased to four people.

The lockdown was announced by the Dutch Prime Minister, Mark Rutte on Saturday. The lockdown is to take effect from Sunday, December 19 and last for at least two weeks, ending on January 14, 2022 at the earliest. Rutte said at a press conference that the country is shutting down due to the fifth wave of the virus, with the Omicron variant.

According to Rutte, the new lockdown measure stands on the back of the partial lockdown in the country which mandates bars, restaurants and other public gathering places (like cinemas and theatres) to close before 5pm.

Netherland’s decision to impose another full lockdown is an example of European countries taking measures to halt the spread of a new wave of the virus, which mostly holds the new Omicron variant. The new measures being imposed by countries across Europe has led to protests across the continent, from Paris to Barcelona.

Countries like France, Cyprus and Austria tightened their travel restrictions, with France only allowing “essential” flights and banning any other flights termed “leisure” flights.

Ministers in Netherlands met over the weekend to discuss expanding the partial lockdown, which according to officials had led to a decline in the rate of infection in the country.