The Netherlands erupts into chaos as new Covid lockdown kicks in amid surging case numbers

A European nation has erupted into violence after surging Covid cases sparked a drastic, snap lockdown, leaving residents distraught.

The Netherlands has been rocked by violence after a fresh Covid lockdown sparked a bitter backlash.

Prime Minister Mark Rutte announced the snap Christmas lockdown on Saturday local time following an alarming spike in Covid cases as the Omicron strain spreads across Europe.

The nation became the first in the EU to re-enter lockdown in response to the new variant, which is now surging across the continent that was already facing a devastating fourth wave.

The highly transmissible Omicron is now set to become the dominant strain within weeks.

Under The Netherlands’ new rules, non-essential venues and services including many shops, bars, gyms, hair salons and more will be shut until mid-January at the earliest.

During the lockdown, only two guests per household will be permitted, with the exception of Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Eve, when four guests will be allowed.

Mr Rutte said the restrictions were “unavoidable” and that a failure to act could cause “an unmanageable situation in hospitals”.

“I stand here tonight in a sombre mood. And a lot of people watching will feel that way too,” he said during a press conference on Saturday, when the lockdown announcement was made.

“To sum it up in one sentence, the Netherlands will go back into lockdown from tomorrow.”

The Netherlands erupts

Demonstrators gathered in The Hague on Saturday in the wake of the lockdown announcement, while shocking images also emerged from Rotterdam, where about 1000 protesters broke the public health orders to gather outside the city’s main football stadium.

Police confirmed 64 people were arrested. Picture: ANP/AFP

The match was played without fans, as per public health rules. Picture: ANP/AFP

A crowd of about 1000 participated in the ugly scenes. Picture: ANP/AFP

The crowd massed ahead of a game between Feyenoord and Ajax Amsterdam, which was to be played without spectators under the current rules.

Protesters were photographed hurling fireworks, smoke bombs and bottles before police responded with a water cannon to break up the violence, arresting 64 agitators.

The sudden lockdown announcement also sparked a rush of last-minute Christmas shopping, with residents flocking to stores before the lockdown kicked in to stock up on festive supplies and staples.

UK facing ‘tsunami of infections’

Meanwhile, the UK is also facing a fresh Covid crisis, with Health Secretary Sajid Javid refusing to rule out the introduction of new restrictions before Christmas as cases surged past 90,000 on Friday, the highest daily total since the pandemic began.

In an article published in the UK’s Daily Telegraph over the weekend, Mr Javid said the UK now faced “a tsunami of infections in the coming days and weeks”.

“Omicron spreads at a pace we have never seen before and has been doubling about every two to three days,” he wrote.

Covid-19 hospitalisations are rising in the UK amid the latest wave. Picture: Hollie Adams/Getty Images

The exploding infection rate threatens to overwhelm the UK’s NHS, and may cause staff shortages as NHS workers are forced to quarantine. Picture: Hollie Adams/Getty Images

“(Friday) saw more than 90,000 new cases reported across the UK. We are extremely confident the number of infections – people with the disease but who have not been confirmed by a test – is significantly higher than that.

In yet another sign of the growing disaster, London Mayor Sadiq Khan warned on Saturday the capital was in the midst of a “major incident” as cases soared to new highs.

Europe’s desperate battle

Other nations across Europe have also resorted to desperate measures in a bid to slow the spread of Omicron.

Paris’ iconic New Year’s Eve fireworks have been cancelled and large gatherings banned across France, while Denmark has shut down theatres, concert halls and museums.

In Ireland, pubs and restaurants must now close by 8pm in an effort to slow the spread, while Rome has also canned New Year’s events

Germany has also added the UK to its list of Covid high-risk countries, meaning harsher travel restrictions will be imposed.