Netherlands heading back into lockdown as Europe constricts COVID-19 actions

Key takeaways: 

• More difficult restraints across the continent were aroused by the spread of the Omicron variant.
• Caretaker Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte had a press conference regarding recent COVID-19 steps to prevent the spread of the Omicron variant in The Hague on Saturday.

Netherlands return to the lockdown phase: 

Countries across Europe were forced to reimpose more difficult actions to prevent a fresh wave of COVID-19 conditions prompted by the positively infectious Omicron variant, with the Netherlands showing the way by setting a nationwide lockdown.

Beginning Sunday, all non-essential shops, bars and restaurants in the Netherlands will be shut till Jan. 14, caretaker Prime Minister Mark Rutte stated at a hurriedly set press conference Saturday night. Schools and universities will close until Jan. 9, he stated.

Read more: Rate spikes likely despite Omicron menace

The lockdown terms also rein in personal vacation celebrations. Citizens will only be allowed two guests but for Christmas and New Year’s, when four will be permitted, according to Rutte. He stated the action was “inescapable because of the fifth wave induced by the Omicron variant that is bearing down on us.” Source – cbc.ca

It wasn’t just the Dutch aiming to restrict the spread of Omicron. Alarmed ministers in France, Cyprus and Austria constricted travel limitations. Paris revoked its New Year’s Eve fireworks. Denmark shut theatres, concert halls, amusement parks and museums. Ireland set an 8 p.m. curfew on pubs and bars and restricted attendance at indoor and outdoor occurrences.