Netherlands reimposing work-from-home amid rising COVID-19 infections

The Netherlands will reinstate work-from-home guidelines just weeks after lifting them as COVID-19 infections surge, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said Wednesday, per Reuters.

Why it matters: The move comes amid a soaring COVID-19 case rate and follows restrictions reimposed last week on bars, restaurants and clubs, a further reversal of the Dutch government's recent reopening of the country to some pre-pandemic activity.

• The government has further canceled all multi-day festivals and events with large crowds until August 14.
• The recent infections are largely driven by the Delta variant, with the government saying that most of the contractions "have occurred in nightlife settings and parties with high numbers of people."

By the numbers: As of Wednesday, the Netherlands had recorded more than 1.7 million confirmed COVID-19 cases and 18,054 deaths since the beginning of the pandemic, per data from Johns Hopkins University.

What they're saying: "What we thought would be possible, turned out not to be possible in practice," Rutte said on easing restrictions Monday, per Reuters.

• "We had poor judgment, which we regret and for which we apologize," he added.

Go deeper: Netherlands reimposes COVID restrictions as Delta variant cases surge