The Netherlands is introducing extensive closure from Sunday to slow down the spread of coronary heart disease.
This was stated by Prime Minister Mark Rutte at a press conference on Saturday.
The shutdown starts already on Saturday night and occurs as a result of increasing infection due to the omicron variant.
According to the Dutch newspaper ad.nl closes almost the entire country until January 14 next year. The catering industry, the cultural industry and sporting events are affected. The hairdressers in the country must put down the scissors and keep them closed.
The closure may be very similar to the one we had in Norway in March last year. Only grocery stores and other necessary services, such as pharmacies and physiotherapists are allowed to stay open. They must still close the doors no later than 20:00 in the evening.
Private individuals are not allowed to have more than two guests per day. Children under the age of 13 are not included in the guest quota.
On Christmas Eve, 1st and 2nd Christmas Day, as well as New Year’s Eve, you can have four guests per day.
Schools and after-school clubs are open to vulnerable children and children of parents with socially critical occupations until the Christmas holidays begin. After the Christmas holidays, the plan is for the schools to open as normal.
Professional sports without an audience are allowed.
The Dutch authorities expect a further increase in infection in the future, but hope that the new closure will help limit the spread of omicron.
The Dutch authorities also justify the closure on the grounds that they fear a total collapse of the health care system if too many people are admitted with corona.
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