Omicron Scare : The Netherlands announces Christmas ‘lockdown’

The Netherlands on Saturday announced a Christmas lockdown as Europe tries to rein in rising Covid-19 case numbers and the highly mutated Omicron strain takes hold. Dutch Prime Minister Mark

File

The Netherlands on Saturday announced a Christmas lockdown as Europe tries to rein in rising Covid-19 case numbers and the highly mutated Omicron strain takes hold.

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, announced that all non-essential shops, cultural and entertainment venues must shut until January 14, while schools will close until at least January 9.

Also Read: North Korea bans citizens from laughing, drinking and shopping for 11 days; know why

The Dutch also face stricter limits on the number of guests allowed in their homes, though officials made an exception for Christmas Day.

Already many countries are re-imposing travel restrictions and other measures weeks after the variant was first detected in South Africa.

Also Read: Widespread flooded reported from Philippines as Typhoon Rai leaves a trail of destruction

Britain registered record case numbers for three days in a row during the week, prompting new regulations and reports that another lockdown is being considered. Most of the new cases recorded in London are of the Omicron variant.
Germany’s health agency meanwhile, announced it had put Britain on a list of high-risk Covid countries, which will mean tighter restrictions for travelers.

WATCH:

COMMENTS