Holland has implemented a three-week period of partial lockdown, which includes cafes and nightclubs closing at 8 PM.
Starting on Saturday, there has also been a reintroduction of social distancing, and a recommendation that people limit household gatherings to groups of no more than four visitors.
According to reporting in Reuters, the Netherlands’ caretaker Prime Minister, Mark Rutte told Dutch citizens that there would be a return to COVID-19 restrictions, which he had hoped they would never need to implement again.
The new rules and restrictions are a result of the Netherlands seven day average infection rate reaching over 12,000 new cases, despite over 85% of the country’s adult population being fully vaccinated against the virus.
Mark Rutte gave a televised speak on Friday where he said: “Tonight we are bringing a very unpleasant message with very unpleasant and far-reaching measures,
“The virus is everywhere and needs to be combated everywhere.”
Following the announcement, a group of around 100 people gathered in The Hague to protest against the lockdown. During the demonstrations, fireworks were illegally set off near the parliamentary building, and objects were thrown at the police. This led to a number of arrests before the protesters were dispersed.
Cafes will be closing at 8 PM, while non-essential shops and supermarkets to also close early.
