Netherlands entered into a strict Christmas lockdown driving desperate Dutch shopkeepers to demand government reimbursements for sales lost, as Omicron keeps spreading in European nations.
Prime Minister Mark Rutte declared the shutdown in an announcement Saturday, ordering the closure of all services, including gyms, hairdressers, restaurants, and other public places. Only essential services are allowed to remain open. While the lockdown is expected to last till Jan. 24, the news came as a shock to many people as they rushed to get a last-minute haircut and stock up on holiday essentials.
“I stand here tonight in a somber mood. And a lot of people watching will feel that way too,” Rutte told a news conference. “To sum it up in one sentence, the Netherlands will go back into lockdown from tomorrow.”
“I can now hear the whole of the Netherlands sighing. This is exactly one week before Christmas, another Christmas that is completely different from what we would like,” Rutte said, while adding that a failure to lock down would likely lead to “an unmanageable situation in hospitals.”
Hospitals in the country have apparently been canceling operations for fear that Omicron cases may run up the number of beds available. Although a minority currently, Omicron is spreading throughout the Netherlands, and is expected to be the dominant variant by the end of 2021. re have already been weeks of curfew to curb the spread of the latest variant.
Currently, more than 85 percent of all Dutch adults are fully vaccinated with two shots. Less than nine percent have gotten a booster shot, and the government is working toward accelerating the booster program.
Jaap van Dissel, head of the Dutch outbreak management team, said that the lockdown measures would give the government enough time to provide more booster shots, as well as prepare for an Omicron outbreak. “As a country we are best protected if as many people as possible get a booster vaccination,” he said. All Dutch adults would receive a booster invitation by Jan. 7.
According to the Dutch National Institute for Public Health, the country has reported more than 20,000 deaths since the pandemic began, with more than 2.9 million cases registered.
No Celebrations for Shopkeepers
However, Dutch retailers and shopkeepers are dismayed at the government’s drastic move, especially during the most critical time of the year.
“Nowhere in Europe is there such a strict regime as in the Netherlands,” said Jan Meerman, director of Dutch retailers association INretail, told Guardian.
He added: “From a health perspective, I understand that something needs to be done, but then it is important that the cabinet also makes a grand financial gesture and generously reimburses entrepreneurs. As far as we are concerned, 100% compensation. Many colleagues are still heavily indebted from the first lockdowns, they can’t take this any more … y are broken by these harsh measures.”
Dutch government offers financial compensation when there is a 30 percent loss in a quarter, when compared to the previous year, and wage support when the loss is 20 percent.
But, Gonny Eussen from the hairdressers’ union, claims that, since this is the end of the quarter, they would not be able to claim reimbursements, while, at the same time, losing out on the best time in the year.
“Because now an important part of December is gone, but we did generate turnover for the rest of the fourth quarter. As a result, many entrepreneurs are probably not eligible for support, even though they miss out on the best weeks,” she said to the media outlet.
Besides businesses, households are only allowed to host up to four visitors daily, aged 13 and over, during Dec. 24 to 26, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day. For other days, only two visitors are permitted.
Events are only limited to funerals; schools are closed; and professional matches will be conducted without spectators.
In neighboring Germany, Omicron is spreading rapidly, but the government has not imposed any lockdowns yet.
“No we won’t have a lockdown like the Netherlands before Christmas,” Germany’s Health Minister Karl Lauterbach told public broadcaster ARD. “But in fact it’s like this: We will get a fifth wave.”
In Belgium, protestors went to the streets opposing government restrictions. Demonstrators held up signs that read, “I’ve had my fair dose” and “enough is enough.”
United Kingdom and Italy are considering new lockdown measures as the number of cases go up in a potential new wave.
Pezou : Netherlands Imposes Christmas-Time Lockdown, Taking the Dutch by Surprise