The Netherlands will go into "lockdown" over the Christmas period to try to stop a surge of the Omicron coronavirus variant, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said Saturday.

The rising COVID infection rate has forced the country to enact lockdown until Jan. 14.

The Omicron variant of the coronavirus has triggered a renewed surge in the COVID-19 infection rate around the world. With many countries posting infection numbers that are rivalling the worst point of the pandemic once again, countries like The Netherlands are reeling from the unprecedented infection numbers so much that the government has had to step in with lockdown measures to curb the rise.
The strict lockdown measures will prevent the Dutch from joining this year’s Christmas celebrations that people all over the world have been looking forward to as the lockdown is scheduled to last until January 14th at least.

People are now only allowed two guests at home, except for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, December 26 and the New Year period when four guests are permitted.

Even though lockdowns have triggered protests in the country recently, its government has considered it necessary if they are to curb the infections after they recorded a high of 14,742 daily cases on Saturday and requested the cooperation of the populace in order to enable the country to survive this new wave of infections.

Other European countries like Germany are also considering different methods of limiting positive cases like limiting travelers from the United Kingdom. This move will require travelers from the UK to require a negative PCR test and also have to isolate for 14 days in order to gain entry to the European country.

The Netherlands relaxed most social distancing measures in September, but by November infections were back up to record levels of more than 20,000 a day.

The restrictions have been unpopular, with riots breaking out in Rotterdam, The Hague and other cities in late November.

UPDATE HUBS NAIJA

Chai!
That means I won't be able to chill with my guys

lockdown for christmas be like..........