Netherlands set to ease Omicron lockdown on Saturday

© Getty Images

Some shop owners are planning to reopen in protest

- Getty Images

The Netherlands will ease its strict lockdown from Saturday, local media channels are reporting, subject to government talks later today.

Non-essential stores, hairdressers and gyms will be able to open from 15 January, with a cap on customer numbers, reported broadcasters NOS and RTL, citing government sources.

Students will also be allowed back to colleges and universities - but bars, restaurants, museums and other attractions are expected to remain closed.

The plans are set to be finalised by ministers on Friday.

The country has been under lockdown rules since 19 December, with all public venues, shops and dining establishments closed except for grocery stores and pharmacies.

Residents have been urged to stay at home as much as possible, with no more than two people able to visit a different household at one time.

Video: Omicron: What's happening across the UK? (PA Media)

Omicron: What's happening across the UK?

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Replay Video

• Sir Ian Wright asks football fans to ‘Give a Doubt’ Sir Ian Wright asks football fans to ‘Give a Doubt’. The football legend appeared at the Emirates Stadium today, as part of a campaign from Cadbury and The Prince’s Trust to help young adults nationwide overcome their doubts. The 8ft wall is part of the Cadbury ‘Give A Doubt’ campaign, a partnership between the brand and youth charity The Prince’s Trust, that encourages the nation to share their doubts in order to help young people overcome theirs, after research revealed three quarters (74%) of people experience doubts daily, 25% are lacking in self-confidence, and 23% worry about whether they are making the right choices in life*. In a bid to break down these barriers, Cadbury is encouraging people to share their uncertainties, helping young people to realise these are normal and that they needn’t hold them back. The campaign features a range of famous faces including Oscar winning actress Dame Helen Mirren, rapper, chef and Bafta-winning personality Big Zuu, five-time gold Paralympic medallist Ellie Simmonds and acclaimed actor Richard E. Grant, who have all shared their doubts to inspire others to do the same. Cadbury has also launched limited-edition Cadbury Dairy Milk bars, displaying Wright’s doubt, as well as those of footballing legends Steph Houghton and Gary Neville. The bars feature a QR code that links to an online support hub, giving young people access to a range of resources. Contributor: Sir Ian Wright – Ex footballer PA Media
• Tributes paid to victims on fifth anniversary of Manchester Arena attack Tributes have been paid to the victims of the Manchester Arena terror attack on the fifth anniversary of the bombing at the Ariana Grande concert, in which 22 were killed. It is the first time in three years that the city can mark the anniversary free of coronavirus restrictions. PA Media
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Announcing the lockdown as an effort to ease the pressure on the country’s hospitals amid the spread of the Omicron variant, prime minister Mark Rutte called the measures “unavoidable”.

Hospital numbers have improved since December, but cases are still high - nearly 30,000 people a day tested positive in the last week - and ministers fear there could be further strain on the healthcare system if all restrictions are lifted.

However, some Dutch business owners, particularly shopkeepers, have been protesting against the ongoing measures, opening their doors in violation of the lockdown.

Several regional officials in turn called on Mark Rutte to lift the lockdown, with Andries Heidema of Overijissel saying the rules were “no longer responsible”. He added that it was “no surprise” that “support in society for the measures is ebbing away”.

Mayor Otwin van Dijk of Oude Ijsselstreek said that he would not penalise shop owners who decided to open this weekend, regardless of the final government decision, while Valkenburg mayor Daan Prevoo said he too would allow this form of protest.

Vaccinated UK travellers are currently allowed into the Netherlands with a negative PCR or an antigen test result, but must quarantine for 10 days after arrival and abide by the lockdown rules.

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