Dutch media reported on Friday that health experts advising the Dutch government on dealing with COVID-19 are recommending that the country go into a “strict” lockdown, just days after extending the partial lockdown until January.
RTL News and NRC Handelsblad quoted sources within the expert panel, whose recommendations are not made public until after the government makes a decision, that they advised the closure of all but essential stores.
Health Minister Hugo de Jong told reporters on the sidelines of a cabinet meeting, Friday, that he had “great concerns” about the rapid spread of Omicron, which emerged shortly after an earlier wave of infections began to recede in the Netherlands.
“I won’t say what additional measures may be necessary,” De Jong said, adding that the government would follow the advice of health experts.
Prime Minister Mark Rutte’s government is set to meet with health advisers on Saturday, before making a decision on the new measures.
Last Tuesday, the government ordered the continuation of the closure between five in the evening and five in the morning for restaurants and most stores, which was imposed from late November to January 14.
In addition, orders were issued to start closing primary schools for the winter holidays early due to the high infection rates among children.
Rutte said at the time that Omicron could be the dominant strain of coronavirus in the Netherlands by January.
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