According to Dutch media on Friday, health experts advising the Netherlands’ government on COVID-19 policy have advised the country enter a “strict” lockdown, only days after a partial lockdown was extended through January.
Sources within the panel of experts, whose opinions are not made public until after the government has made a decision, told RTL Nieuws and NRC Handelsblad that they had suggested the closure of all but necessary stores.
Hugo de Jonge, the Dutch Health Minister, told reporters outside a Cabinet meeting on Friday that he was “quite concerned” about the rapid spread of Omicron, which surfaced just as a previous wave of infections in the Netherlands was cresting.
“I’m not going to disclose what additional actions may be required,” De Jonge said, adding that the government would heed the advice of health experts.
On Saturday, Prime Minister Mark Rutte’s government will meet with health advisers in preparation for a decision on further measures.
The government said on Tuesday that the 5 p.m. to 5 a.m. shutdown of pubs, restaurants, and most retailers, which began in late November, will be extended until January 14.
In addition because of high infection rates among youngsters, primary schools were required to close early for the winter holidays.
Omicron might become the dominant coronavirus strain in the Netherlands by January, according to Rutte.
The National Institute for Health reported 15,433 new COVID-19 cases on Friday, down almost 25% from the previous week but still higher than any prior wave.
In order to deal with COVID-19 patients, the country’s already overburdened healthcare system is deferring most normal care and canceling all but the most life-saving operations.
