The Netherlands will enter a stringent three-week lockdown to curb record Covid-19 infections rates, becoming the first EU country to reintroduce nationwide measures since the rollout of coronavirus vaccines earlier this year.
Mark Rutte, the Netherlands’ caretaker prime minister, on Friday announced the “hard blow” for the country, which will involve the closure of bars, restaurants and essential shops like pharmacies and supermarkets by 8pm, and non-essential stores by 6pm for three weeks starting on Saturday evening.
The Netherlands reported a record daily infection rate of more than 16,300 this week, piling pressure on the government to impose sweeping social restrictions to prevent the spread of the virus.
“We have an unpleasant message tonight”, Rutte told a press conference on Friday evening. “Fortunately, the vast majority of people in our country have now been vaccinated. Otherwise the misery in the hospitals would be incalculable. But the pressure in healthcare is still extremely high”, he said.
The three-week lockdown will include the reintroduction of teleworking for all sectors where it is possible, a limit of four guests per household, and no crowds at sporting events.
The Netherlands has experienced soaring infection rates since the government removed most social restrictions in September.
The Dutch public health authority recorded 16,287 new Covid-19 cases on Friday, 44 fewer than the previous day when the toll was the highest recorded since the outbreak of the pandemic in early 2020.
Rutte’s government coalition has come under fire throughout the pandemic, firstly for opting for a so-called “intelligent lockdown” during the first phase of the virus, and later imposing looser social restrictions and mask requirements than in other parts of western Europe. The Dutch were also initially slower than most EU countries in rolling out vaccines in early 2021 and have also lagged behind in administering booster shots.
The Netherlands has not followed countries like France in making proof of vaccination obligatory for entry to shops or public places. Health minister Hugo de Jonge on Friday said the cabinet would discuss measures to remove proof of negative test from the country’s Covid-19 pass, forcing more people to get vaccinated to enter public spaces and stores.
The Dutch move is the first nationwide reintroduction of lockdown measures in the EU. On Friday, Austria’s government said it would introduce curbs targeting the unvaccinated.
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