The Dutch government is poised to impose a "severe" Christmas lockdown on Saturday, with all but necessary stores closing due to concerns over the spread of the Omicron coronavirus type, according to Dutch media.

On Saturday, the government will convene with its health experts, who have urged that all non-essential stores, schools, pubs, restaurants, and other public places be closed.

Axel Dees, a spokesman for the health ministry, told Reuters that a government news conference to announce new measures will take place at 7 p.m. (1800 GMT). He remained tight-lipped about the specific steps that will be outlined.

People gathered to the main retail strip in Leiden's city center, some 20 kilometers outside of The Hague, to finish their last-minute present buying.

Outside several establishments, such as toy stores and high-end skincare and cosmetics stores, there were lineups.

"It's usually crowded before Christmas, but this is considerably busier than usual," Ali Windster, a cosmetics store manager, told Reuters.

Carla Nekeman was loading up on cosmetics at the counter.

 "This lockdown is a pain since I'm getting a lot of things I need that I can't acquire at the store. Everywhere I go, I'll have to queue," According to Nekeman.

The government said on Tuesday that the 5 p.m. to 5 a.m. shutdown of bars, restaurants, and most retailers, which began in late November, will be extended until January 14.

Omicron might become the main coronavirus strain in the Netherlands by January, according to Prime Minister Mark Rutte.

The National Institute for Public Health (RIVM) reported 15,433 new COVID-19 cases on Friday, down almost 25% from the previous week but still more than any prior wave.

The predicted new wave of Omicron infections would add to the country's already overburdened healthcare system, which is currently putting off most basic treatment and canceling all but the most life-saving procedures to deal with COVID-19 patients.