New nation plunged into lockdown as Covid wreaks chaos acoss Europe

A tiny nation has been plunged into a brand new lockdown as Covid wreaks fresh havoc across Europe.

The Netherlands will enter a new lockdown. Picture: Pierre Crom/Getty Images

The Netherlands will enter a strict Christmas lockdown as Covid cases soar, plunging the nation and much of Europe into renewed chaos.

The announcement, made by Prime Minister Mark Rutte overnight, means 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.

The new restrictions will come into effect on Sunday local time, and according to Mr Rutte, they were “unavoidable”, as 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.

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

Under the tough new rules, all schools will close until at least January 9, and sport will be paused.

A man holds a board reading “freedom and democracy” during a protest against Covid restrictions in Utrecht, Netherlands in early December. Picture: Pierre Crom/Getty Images

In a statement, the health ministry said it fully supported the fresh lockdown, noting that the Netherlands’ Outbreak Management Team (OMT) expected the Omicron variant to become the dominant strain by the end of the year.

“This is sooner than previously expected,” the statement reads.

“This rapid increase in infections means the number of Covid-19 patients in hospitals and ICUs will rise further before the end of the year.”

It comes after weeks of escalating restrictions in the Netherlands, which saw protesters take to the streets in the name of “freedom and democracy” earlier this month.

Chaos in Europe

Meanwhile, Europe continues to buckle under the latest Covid wave, with restrictions and closures also affecting a string of other nations.

In Paris, the decision was made to cancel the annual New Year’s Eve fireworks in light of soaring case numbers, while Denmark has shut down theatres, concert halls and museums.

And in Ireland, pubs and restaurants must now close by 8pm in an effort to slow the spread.

“None of this is easy,” Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin said on Friday night while speaking about the new measures.

“We are all exhausted with Covid and the restrictions it requires.

omicron is now present in at least 89 nations. Picture: Jeff Kowalsky/AFP

“The twists and turns, the disappointments and the frustrations take a heavy toll on everyone. But it is the reality that we are dealing with.”

In the UK, cases have jumped to a new record high this week, and while Prime Minister Boris Johnson has insisted fresh lockdowns are not on the cards, The Sun reports plans are being made to shut the country regardless.

According to the World Health Organisation, the Omicron variant has now been detected in 89 countries, with the number of cases doubling in 1.5 to 3 days in areas where it is spreading in the community.