COVID-19: Netherlands Heads For Partial Lockdown

The Netherlands is headed for a new partial lockdown as the government tries to tame a rapid spread of Coronavirus infections.

Prime Minister Mark Rutte was scheduled to address the nation on the latest measures from his official residence at 7 p.m. (1800 GMT).

Dutch media, citing government sources, said a limited three-week shutdown was likely to begin on Saturday, with restaurants and most stores ordered to close early at 7 p.m.

Rutte’s caretaker government was finalising the plan over the course of Friday.

One aspect said to be still under consideration was whether to introduce a rule that allows only those vaccinated against COVID-19 or those who have recovered from it from accessing sports and cultural venues, as well as restaurants.

According to reports, resident are to receive only a maximum of four visitors at home at a time and sporting competitions are to be held without an audience going forward.

The number of daily new Coronavirus infections rose to more than 16,000 on Thursday, an all-time high.

The situation, especially in intensive care units, is so precarious that hospitals are already warning of crisis of care conditions.