Omicron fears cast gloom over Christmas in Europe

(CN) — With new coronavirus cases soaring across Europe, Christmas festivities are once again being overshadowed by the pandemic as countries impose tougher restrictions to keep their health systems intact.

The Netherlands entered a new national lockdown on Sunday to stem further spikes in Covid-19 cases and other countries are imposing tougher restrictions as infections rise. Scientists and political leaders are fearing a massive wave of sickness caused by the highly contagious omicron variant.

On Saturday evening, the Dutch government announced in a last-minute news conference that the Netherlands would, once again, return to lockdown. In November, Austria was the first European country to head back into a lockdown.

“We stand here tonight in a gloomy mood,” said Prime Minister Mark Rutte. But he said a lockdown is “unavoidable because of the fifth wave caused by the omicron variant that is bearing down on us.”

Households were told to limit visitors to only four for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Eve and New Year’s Day. On other days, households are to allow only two visitors.

This strict lockdown comes even as the Netherlands records decreasing infection numbers, which is due in part to a lack of testing capacity.

The Netherlands has been slow to roll out booster shots and struggled to contain the pressure on hospital systems even before the arrival of the omicron variant. Dutch experts said omicron now accounts for 25% of new infections in Amsterdam and new cases are doubling every two to three days. Hospitals have been delaying or canceling noncritical care for weeks and the country had a shortage of nurses even before the pandemic began.

By Sunday morning, Dutch city centers were quiet as the new regulations came into effect.

“No one is happy,” one woman shopping in a bookstore on Saturday told Dutch public broadcaster NOS. “But we have to comply.”

Despite the frustration with the pandemic, the Dutch are mostly adhering to the rules, research shows.

But not everyone in the Netherlands and elsewhere in Europe wants to and the weekend was marked by protests in several countries, including Austria, Belgium, Germany and the United Kingdom. Demonstrations against restrictions have become a regular occurrence in many European cities and are leading to frequent clashes between protesters and police.

In London, where omicron cases make up about 60% of new infections, protesters shouting “Freedom” and “Shame on you” hurled insults, beer cans, eggs and flares at police in scuffles outside Downing Street and other government buildings. A few officers reportedly were injured. Protesters say they are against vaccine mandates and restrictions.

Anger over a mandate to show vaccine passes to get into large venues, such as concerts and nightclubs, has riled many Brits and even put Prime Minister Boris Johnson's government in danger. Dozens of his fellow Tory party members voted against the new vaccine mandate measures and there is growing rancor inside his party over restrictions. They are telling him to back down and let people and businesses enjoy Christmas and the holiday season.

“There is no need to lock down, and people need this Christmas with their families,” said Iain Duncan Smith, a former Tory leader and member of parliament. “Boris must resist – and I think he will. All the scientific models are based on supposition – not data. We must follow the data.”

On Monday, Johnson was considering whether to order a further clampdown, such as limiting indoor mixing at such places as pubs. Government scientists are warning that up to 6,000 Brits could die a day unless tougher restrictions are imposed.

Great Britain is recording a staggering increase in cases with a record 90,109 new infections reported on Saturday. Deaths linked to Covid-19 for now have not spiked, but there are concerns that it is only a matter of time before that changes. On average, the U.K. has reported slightly more than 100 deaths a day since September.

Omicron fears have led to new border closings and reignited cross-order tensions.

With its high number of cases, last week France blocked nonessential travel from Britain. Unlike other European countries, France is not talking about limits on indoor gatherings, though many public events such as firework displays have been cancelled. Other European nations have restricted travel from Britain too.

The mayor of the Belgian city of Antwerp, where businesses remain open, has called for the Dutch to not cross the border for shopping trips.

“Respect the measures of your own country and don't come here,” Cathy Berx told Belgian television.

The economic costs of tougher restrictions are being felt on beleaguered businesses as Europeans cut back on winter holidays and spending.

In the Netherlands, as elsewhere, businesses said they need more financial help to stay afloat.

Jan Meerman, the director of INretail, the Dutch retailers association, told the Guardian that the government needs to make “a grand financial gesture” and reimburse businesses for the lockdown.

“Many colleagues are still heavily indebted from the first lockdowns, they can’t take this any more … They are broken by these harsh measures,” Meerman said.

Courthouse News reporters Cain Burdeau and Molly Quell are based in the European Union.

Follow @cainburdeau

Follow @mollyquell

Subscribe to Closing Arguments

Sign up for new weekly newsletter Closing Arguments to get the latest about ongoing trials, major litigation and hot cases and rulings in courthouses around the U.S. and the world.

Email *

Submit