Netherlands starts Christmas coronavirus lockdown

WASHINGTON, Dec 19 (Reuters/ The Guardian) - The Netherlands went into lockdown on Sunday and the possibility of more COVID-19 restrictions being imposed ahead of the Christmas and New Year holidays loomed over several European countries as the Omicron variant spreads rapidly.  

In the United States, White House medical adviser Dr. Anthony Fauci urged people travelling to visit loves ones to get booster shots and always wear masks in crowded public spaces.  
He said Omicron was “raging through the world” and that travelling will increase the risk of infection even among vaccinated people. Since the start of the month, U.S. COVID cases have risen 50%, according to a Reuters tally.  

Dutch urban centres were largely deserted as the country began a snap lockdown that threw people’s Christmas plans into disarray. Omicron, a very contagious variant first detected last month in southern Africa and Hong Kong, has raced around the globe and been reported in 89 countries, the World Health Organization said on Saturday.  

While the Netherlands took the plunge and shut down much of public life to prevent its healthcare system from being overwhelmed, several other European governments are considering additional curbs  

The Guardian reported that ministers in France, Cyprus and Austria tightened travel restrictions and Paris cancelled its New Year’s Eve fireworks.