The Netherlands has entered into a strict lockdown in response to the threat from the Omicron variant of the virus that causes COVID-19 just days before Christmas, driving desperate Dutch shopkeepers to demand government reimbursements for lost sales, as the new variant continues to spread across European nations.
Prime Minister Mark Rutte declared the shutdown in a Dec. 18 announcement, ordering the closure of all non-essential services, including gyms, hairdressers, restaurants, and other public places. While the lockdown is expected to last till Jan. 24, 2022, the news came as a shock to many people as they rushed to get a last-minute haircut and stock up on holiday essentials.
