AMSTERDAM (Reuters) – Scientists advising the Dutch government in dealing with the coronavirus pandemic have recommended that it impose “strict” containment to limit the progression of the Omicron variant, multiple media reported on Friday.
RTL Nieuws television and the NRC Handelsblad newspaper, which cite sources in the scientific council whose recommendations are not made public until the government has made a decision, say that experts have advised the closure of all non-essential stores.
Dutch Health Minister Hugo de Jonge told reporters on Friday he was “not too worried” about the spread of the Omicron variant, as the government announced the extension until January 14 of the measures restrictions introduced at the end of November, including the closure of restaurants, bars and many shops from 5 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Prime Minister Mark Rutte and his main ministers are due to meet with scientific experts on Saturday before taking possible new measures to stem the COVID-19 epidemic.
The Netherlands recorded more than 15,000 new cases of contamination on Friday, a 25% drop from the previous week, but authorities expect the variant Omicron, which appears to be more contagious, to become dominant in the country in January.
(Toby Sterling, French version Tangi Salaün)
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