The Netherlands will go into lockdown as countries across Europe tighten restrictions to slow the spread of Omicron | Holland

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Countries across Europe have moved to re-impose stricter measures to stem a new wave of Covid infections spurred by the highly contagious Omicron variant, with the Netherlands leading the way by enforcing a nationwide lockdown.

All non-essential shops, bars and restaurants in the Netherlands will be closed until January 14 from Sunday, Interim Prime Minister Mark Rutte said at a hastily arranged press conference on Saturday night. He said schools and universities will be closed until January 9.

In what is certainly proving to be a huge disappointment, the terms of the lockdown are curbing special holiday celebrations. The residents will only be allowed two visitors except for Christmas and New Year’s, when four visitors are allowed, according to Ruti.

“The Netherlands will be closed again as of tomorrow,” he said, adding that the move was “inevitable due to the fifth wave caused by the Omicron variable weighing on us.”

It wasn’t just the Dutch trying to slow the spread of Omicron. Concerned ministers in France, Cyprus and Austria tightened travel restrictions. Paris canceled New Year’s Eve fireworks. Denmark closed theaters, concert halls, parks and museums. Ireland has imposed an 8pm curfew on pubs and bars and limited attendance at indoor and outdoor events.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan underscored the official concern about cases of climbs and their potential to overwhelm the healthcare system by declaring a major accident on Saturday, a move that allows local councils in the British capital to coordinate work more closely with emergency services.

Irish Prime Minister Michael Martin captured the sense of the continent in an address to the nation, saying the new restrictions were necessary to protect lives and livelihoods from the spreading virus.

“None of this is easy,” Martin said Friday night. We are all exhausted from Covid and the restrictions it demands. The twists and turns, disappointments and frustrations greatly affect everyone. But that’s the reality we’re dealing with.”

The World Health Organization said on Saturday that the Omicron variant of the coronavirus has been detected in 89 countries, and Covid cases involving the variant are doubling every 1.5 to 3 days in places where community transmission is not just infections acquired abroad.

The World Health Organization has indicated that key questions about Omicron remain unanswered, including how effective current Covid vaccines are against it and whether the alternative produces severe disease in many affected individuals.

However, the UN health agency said Omicron’s “significant growth advantage” over the delta variant means it will likely surpass delta soon as the dominant form of the virus in countries where the new variant is locally circulating.

In the Netherlands, shoppers fearing the worst flocked to the business districts of Dutch cities earlier on Saturday, thinking it might be their last chance to buy Christmas gifts.

The municipality of Rotterdam tweeted that it was “too busy in the middle” of the coastal city and told people: “Don’t come into town.” Amsterdam also warned that the city’s main shopping street is crowded and urged people to abide by the coronavirus rules.

“I can hear the sighs of all of Holland,” Rutte said in the lockdown announcement.

“All this, exactly a week before Christmas. Another Christmas completely different from what we want. Very bad news again for all those businesses and cultural institutions that depend on the holidays.”

In the UK, where confirmed daily cases rose to record numbers this week, the government has reimposed the requirement to wear masks indoors and ordered people to show evidence of vaccination or a recent negative coronavirus test when going to nightclubs and big events. But these moves sparked outrage.

Critics of the latest coronavirus restrictions imposed by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson swept Oxford Street, a popular shopping district in London, on Saturday. Maskless protesters whistled and shouted “Freedom!” They asked passersby to remove their coverings.

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