The Netherlands will shut down society over Christmas and into January, Prime Minister Mark Rutte announced.

The strict restrictions are being applied to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

All bars, restaurants, cinemas, museums, theatres and all shops that are not deemed essential will be closed to customers.

The maximum number of guests over the age of 13 that people can invite to their homes will be reduced from four to two, except on Christmas Day. People will also be allowed to move around outdoors in groups of no more than two.

”In short, you can say that the Netherlands will go back into lockdown,” says Rutte.

A subdued Rutte added that he was sorry to have to make the announcement, describing the measures as ”inevitable” due to the rapid spread of the omicron variant in the country and to prevent the healthcare system from collapsing under the pressure.

”Now we must intervene as a precautionary measure.”

The lockdown will be in effect from Sunday until January 14. Schools will remain closed until at least January 9.

Head of infectious disease control Jaap van Dissel held a press conference where the announcement was made that it is expected that omicron will take over Delta as the dominant variant in the country before the New Year.

During the course of the pandemic, the Netherlands has been shaken by a long series of demonstrations, and even violent riots, against the introduction of restrictions.

According to Johns Hopkins University, approximately 74 percent of the population in the Netherlands is fully vaccinated.

Source: TT