Nov 12, 2021 - World
Netherlands to return to 3-week partial lockdown amid surging COVID cases
Prime Minister Mark Rutte of the Netherlands speaks as National Statements are delivered on day two of the COP 26 United Nations Climate Change Conference. Photo: Ian Forsyth/Getty Images
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte announced Friday a three-week partial lockdown as a result of surging COVID-19 cases in the Netherlands.
Why it matters: The lockdown comes as Western Europe experiences a new wave of COVID-19 infections across the continent.
The big picture: The lockdown, which begins Saturday night, requires bars, restaurants and supermarkets to close at 8pm Central European Time.
- Professional sports games are required to be played in empty stadiums and residents are encouraged to work from home.
- Businesses that provide nonessential goods and services must close by 6pm
- Almost 85% of adults in the Netherlands are fully vaccinated, and the country ended its lockdown at the end of September, AP notes.
- “Tonight we are bringing a very unpleasant message with very unpleasant and far-reaching measures," Rutte said Friday, per Reuters. "The virus is everywhere and needs to be combated everywhere."
Of note: Austria announced Thursday that it would place millions of unvaccinated people in lockdown.