HOLLAND has been plunged into a five-week lockdown over Christmas, as daily case totals in the country surge past 8,500.
The Netherlands’ leader Mark Rutte told the nation that it is “closing down” – with schools and gyms shutting as the toughest restrictions of the pandemic are introduced.
Households can’t welcome any more than two visitors over the age of 13 from tomorrow.
Schools will be closed until January 18, as well as all public places, including gyms, museums, zoos, cinemas, hairdressers and beauty salons.
However – there will be a three-day period over Christmas when the restrictions will be slightly relaxed.
Mr Rutte addressed the nation tonight, saying: “The Netherlands is closing down.
“We realise the gravity of our decisions, right before Christmas.
“The less contacts we have, the better.
“We have to do everything to get to a better place. And yes, it will get better.
“The reality is that we are not dealing with an innocent flu, as some of those protesting outside believe, but a virus that can reach anyone.”
People in the Netherlands are advised to stay at home and avoid contact with people as much as possible.
Supermarkets, banks and pharmacies will be allowed to stay open over Christmas.
Covid infections have soared in the country – more than doubling since the end of November.
It comes as British health secretary Matt Hancock revealed a “new variant” of coronavirus has been identified amid rising cases across Europe.
Rutte took the rare step of inviting heads of all of The Netherlands’ political parties to join the talks this afternoon.
Health Minister Hugo de Jonge said: “It’s serious. It’s very serious.
“We see the infection numbers rising sharply in recent days, we see that hospital admissions are increasing again, the pressure on the health care sector remains high.”
The lockdown will be even stricter than the one imposed during the first coronavirus wave between March and May.
Bars and restaurants have remained close since mid-October and had slowed the infection rate – which dipped to lows of 4,470 on November 26.
Since then however, cases have been rapidly growing – hitting highs of 9,884 on Sunday.
It was the biggest rise in more than six weeks, with a figure of 9,804 being recorded on Halloween.
And then the trend continued today as the figures again hit nearly 10,000 with around 8,500 cases.
Holland’s all time high was recorded on October 30, with 11,119 cases, and deaths have also been creeping up since the end of September.
The Netherlands has recorded a total of 10,082 deaths and 621,944 cases from a population of around 17million.
Rutte’s move for new Christmas restrictions follows similar rules rolled out by neighboring Germany.
The new measures announced by Chancellor Angela Merkel will last from December 16 until January 10.
The Chancellor told reporters in Berlin: “I would have wished for lighter measures. But due to Christmas shopping, the number of social contacts has risen considerably.
“There is an urgent need to take action.”
The country’s health ministry has recorded an alarming increase of cases with 20,200 new infections recorded and a further 321 deaths.
Meanwhile, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen announced local restrictions that close restaurants, bars, theatres and cinemas until the end of the year.
And in France, a national lockdown remains in place – but they plan to try and relax it on December 15 if they hit a target of 5,000 new daily infections.
Similar to the UK, French authorities aim to ease restrictions over Christmas to allow families to see each other.
Spain is under a nationwide curfew and state of emergency until May 2021.
Public and private gatherings are limited to six people and face coverings are required on transport and indoor public spaces.
Sweden – one country that controversially never went into lockdown – has seen a sharp increase in infection rates.
The government has tightened restrictions on public gatherings and is seeking new powers to allow tougher lockdown measures.
Britain has today announced new swathes of the country, including London, will be placed into Tier 3 – the highest current level of lockdown.
Ministers have insisted the five-day Christmas easing of restrictions will remain in place, despite fears of a looming “third wave”.
