The Netherlands will enter a state of "lockdown." "over the Christmas period to combat an outbreak of the Omicron coronavirus strain, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte announced Saturday.
From Sunday through January 14, all non-essential shops, restaurants, bars, cinemas, museums, and theatres must close, while schools must remain closed until at least January 9, Rutte stated. Individuals are currently only entitled to have two guests in their residences, except Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, December 26, and the New Year period, when four guests are permitted.
"I stand here in a solemn mood tonight, "Rutte stated during a live television press conference. "To summarize, the Netherlands will revert to lockdown status as of tomorrow. "It is unavoidable with the fifth wave with Omicron spreading at a rate that exceeds our expectations. As a precaution, we must now intervene." According to Jaap van Dissel, head of the Dutch outbreak control team, the Omicron strain would eventually supplant the Delta version in the Netherlands.
"Between Christmas and the new year's equinox, the Omicron variant will gain dominance "van Dissel stated during the press conference. The expert warned that if Omicron's effect is as powerful as Delta's, hospitalizations might surpass those associated with the disease's initial wave in early 2020.
"We know that the variant is capable of circumventing built-up defenses from previous infections or vaccinations, mainly if they occurred some time ago, "'He stated.
'The Netherlands sighs.'
Rutte's announcement came following an emergency cabinet meeting and just four days after the administration announced an extension of existing measures and an earlier start to school vacations. Long lineups formed outside stores earlier Saturday as people rushed to complete last-minute Christmas shopping in the wake of news of the new measures.
"It's too hectic, but I'm coming before Christmas to pick up things; it appears as though a new lockdown is on the way." "In The Hague, Ayman Massori, 19, said AFP.
Rutte, who signed a coalition agreement earlier this week that would give him a fourth term as premier, acknowledged the effect of the festive season on the national mood. "At this point, I can hear the entire Netherlands sighing. This is precisely one week before Christmas, another Christmas that is diametrically opposed to what we desire "Rutte stated.
However, he claimed that "Omicron is pressuring us to limit our contacts as swiftly and as completely as possible, which is why the Netherlands would be sealed." "'He stated. According to official health authority data, the Dutch Covid limitations resulted in a 21% drop in infections during the week of December 7-14.
Likewise, the Netherlands saw a "modest decline" in hospital admissions, but officials maintained that Omicron remained a "cause for concern." In the Netherlands, over 86 percent of all individuals have been vaccinated. However, the Dutch booster campaign has been reluctant to get started, and Health Minister Hugo de Jonge announced that all adults over 18 will now receive an invitation by January 7.
In September, the Netherlands lifted most social distancing measures, but by November, infections had returned to record levels of more than 20,000 per day. The limitations have been unpopular, with riots erupting in late November in Rotterdam, The Hague, and other towns.
