Amid growing Omicron concerns, the Netherlands has announced a strict Christmas lockdown.

Non-essential shops, gyms, hairdressers, bars, and other public places will remain closed at least till mid of January. The country’s Prime Minister, Mark Rutte, said that the move was unavoidable. These are the strictest restrictions to have been announced in the Netherlands over Omicron thus far and came into effect on Sunday.

There will be stringent limits on the number of people who can meet. Two guests aged 13 years and above will be allowed to visit people′s homes, while four guests will be allowed from December 24-26 and on New Year′s Eve and New Years Day.

Schools will remain closed at least till 9th January, while other lockdown restrictions will continue until at least 14th January… (BBC, December 19, 2021)