AMSTERDAM: The Netherlands has announced a strict lockdown over Christmas amid concerns over the Omicron coronavirus variant, BBC has reported.
Non-essential shops, bars, gyms hairdressers and other public venues will be closed until at least mid-January. Two guests per household will be allowed – four over the holidays, it said.
Prime Minister Mark Rutte said the measures were “unavoidable”.
Countries across Europe have been tightening restrictions as the heavily mutated variant spreads.
The new rules in the Netherlands – the strictest to have been announced over Omicron so far – come into force on Sunday.
Under the new rules, people are being urged to stay at home as much as possible. Strict limits will be placed on the number of people who can meet – a maximum of two guests aged 13 and over will be allowed in people’s homes, and four on 24-26 December and on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
Events are not permitted other than funerals, weekly markets selling groceries and professional sports matches with no spectators.
All schools will be closed until at least 9 January, while other lockdown measures will remain in place until at least 14 January.
Restaurants can continue to sell takeaway meals, and non-essential shops can offer click and collect services.
(With inputs from BBC)
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