Netherlands Covid: Lockdown announced after daily infections reach new record

This European country has become the first in its region to re-enter lockdown, despite earlier expecting to relax all restrictions by the end of 2021.

The Netherlands has become the first western European country to go back into lockdown as it is plagued by record new infections.

The Netherlands has become the first western European country to go back into lockdown since summer, as the country is once again plagued by record new infections.

16,204 new cases were recorded on Friday, with the country’s death toll hitting 18,734.

Just one day earlier, the nation reached a pandemic high of 16,287 infections.

Caretaker prime minister, Mark Rutte announced the “absolutely unavoidable” three-week lockdown on Friday and said the Dutch healthcare system was struggling under the rapid influx of cases.

This is despite the Netherlands achieving a fully-vaccinated status of 69 per cent, trumping the European Union’s average of 65.8 per cent.

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said the new restrictions were unavoidable. Picture: Sem van der Wal/ANP/AFP.

“Tonight we are bringing a very unpleasant message, with very unpleasant and far-reaching measures,” said Mr Rutte.

“The virus is everywhere and needs to combated everywhere. I want every Dutch citizen to be asking, can I do more? Can I do better?

“We had hoped with the vaccines we wouldn’t have to do this, but we see the same situation all across Europe.”

The swath of new restrictions include an 8pm curfew on bars, restaurants and essential retail, with all non-essential retail and services ordered to shut by 6pm. Indoor gatherings have been limited to a maximum of four guests and employees have been told to work from home unless “absolutely unavoidable”.

City streets across Netherlands were once again emptied as new restrictions were imposed. Picture: Pierre Crom/Getty Images.

People walk in the streets, in Eindhoven after new Covid-19 restrictions as been announced by the Dutch Prime Minister, closing bars, restaurants and shops at 7 p.m. Photo by ROB ENGELAAR / ANP / AFP

Due to the added pressure on hospitals, even some knee, hip and heart operations would need to be put on hold.

Protests erupt

While authorities are battling to get cases under control, the new restrictions have fuelled anti-lockdown sentiment, with protesters taking to the streets.

A 200-strong protest gathered at The Hague, where a peaceful gathering became violent after attendants were seen setting off flares and fireworks. Police were also forced to intervene, with reports a water cannon was used against the crowd.

Riot police officers faced off with protesters at The Hague. Picture: Jeroen Jumelet/ANP/AFP.

15 people were also arrested in the city of Leeuwarden after protesters stormed the city’s central square. It’s believed people refused police directions to disperse, with fireworks and coloured flares causing mass disruptions.

Dense crowds occupied the main square in Leeuwarden. Picture: Twitter @DunK_058.

Fourth wave warnings for Europe

The Netherlands is just one of many European countries currently experiencing a fourth wave of new infections after restrictions were relaxed over the summer.

Germany’s pandemic-breaking influx of new cases had experts concerned their healthcare system would reach breaking point in weeks, with one epidemiologist predicting the country would re-enter another lockdown by December.

Elsewhere, rising cases also forced Denmark to backflip on their bold statement that the pandemic was “no longer a critical threat to society”. In early September they became the first nation in the European Union to lift all Covid restrictions, however last week saw them labelled as a cause of “grave concern” by the WHO.

WHO regional director Hans Kluge labelled Denmark as one of the 43 countries in his region who will likely see transmissions and deaths soar during the upcoming winter months.

“We are, once again, at the epicentre,” Dr Kluge said in a statement.

“According to one reliable projection, if we stay on this trajectory, we could see another half a million Covid-19 deaths in Europe and Central Asia by the first of February next year.