Faced with a new wave of the Covid-19 epidemic, the Dutch Prime Minister, Mark Rutte, announced this Saturday, December 18, the confinement of the Netherlands for the Christmas holidays.
The Dutch Prime Minister announced this Saturday, December 18, a new confinement of the Netherlands until at least January 14 to contain the Covid-19 contaminations linked to the Omicron variant of the coronavirus.
Non-essential businesses, restaurants, hair salons and gyms will be closed and the measure will remain in effect until January 14. Schools will be closed until January 9.
“The Netherlands is closing again. It has become inevitable because of the fifth wave coming to us with the Omicron variant,” Mark Rutte announced at a press conference.
Outdoor gatherings limited to two people
Dutch households are also asked not to accommodate more than two people and outdoor gatherings will be limited to two people.
The government met with health experts on Saturday who recommended closing all non-essential businesses, schools, bars, restaurants and other establishments open to the public.
Last Tuesday, the government had already ordered that the closure of bars, restaurants and most shops between 5 p.m. and 5 a.m. be extended until January 14. Prime Minister Mark Rutte then explained that the Omicron variant could become dominant in the Netherlands by January.
On Friday, the National Institute of Public Health identified 15,433 new Covid-19 contaminations, down about 25% compared to the previous week but still above the peaks recorded in previous waves.
This new wave of contamination caused by the Omicron variant could increase the pressure on the health system, which has already been forced to postpone most non-emergency operations to be able to welcome patients with Covid-19.