Dutch government expected to announce partial lockdown

THE HAGUE, Netherlands — The Dutch authorities is wide expected to denote a partial lockdown Friday amid soaring COVID-19 cases that are putting the country’s wellness attraction assemblage nether renewed strain.

Dutch broadcaster NOS, citing unnamed authorities sources, reported that the authorities is readying to enforce 3 weeks of measures including closing bars, restaurants and nonessential stores astatine 7 p.m. and banning fans from sports events. That could mean the Dutch nationalist squad playing a World Cup qualifier against Norway connected Tuesday nighttime down closed doors.

The authorities has not formally commented connected the reports. New measures are acceptable to beryllium unveiled by caretaker Prime Minister Mark Rutte astatine a nationally televised property league astatine 7 p.m. (1800GMT).

The Dutch shot federation and apical 2 nonrecreational leagues issued a connection expressing “great dismay” astatine the reported lockdown and insisting that shot stadiums — which person strict COVID measures successful spot — are not a large root of infections.

“This looks similar argumentation poverty,” the organizations said, adding that authorities officials “no longer cognize what to do.”

An enactment representing barroom and edifice owners besides slammed the government.

“Hospitality businesses are again being presented with the measure for failing authorities policy,” the radical said successful a statement.

The determination comes a time aft the country’s nationalist wellness institute recorded 16,364 caller affirmative tests successful 24 hours — the highest fig of immoderate clip during the pandemic that has killed much than 18,600 radical successful the Netherlands.

Last week, the authorities reintroduced orders to deterioration look masks successful stores and expanded usage of the country’s COVID pass, which proves the holder has been afloat vaccinated, has recovered from COVID-19 oregon has tested negative. Since then, cases person lone increased.

The Netherlands, wherever astir 85% of adults are afloat vaccinated, mostly ended lockdown restrictions astatine the extremity of September.