Netherlands enters a partial lockdown due to increase of Covid cases

By: Ryan Oswald, Staff Reporter, The Pawprint

The Netherlands have enforced a partial lockdown following a surge of cases of the deadly virus, and rising infections of the newly discovered variant, Omicron.

The country is taking crucial care in making sure the hospitals will not be overwhelmed by Covid cases. For at least three weeks, hospitality and venues like cafes, museums, and cinemas must close at 17:00 local time.

Some 61 individuals are currently being tested for traces of the virus variant, all coming from KLM flights from South Africa, where the Omicron virus has been noted recently. 

The World Health Organization has deemed the variant to be “of concern,” because of it’s high rate of spreading and infection.

Thousands of protestors have taken to the streets after the government announced the lockdown. The Netherlands has had over 20,000 confirmed deaths due to Covid since the pandemic started.