Dutch govt orders partial lockdown amid rising coronavirus cases in Netherlands

THE HAGUE, (PTI): Caretaker Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte announced a three-week partial lockdown Friday amid surging COVID-19 cases in the Netherlands. Depending on the Covid situation, the curbs could be tightened or relaxed after three weeks.

The lockdown that begins Saturday night is the first to start in Western Europe since a new wave of infections began surging across parts of the continent.

Under the partial lockdown rules, bars restaurants and supermarkets will have to close at 8 p.m. (1900 GMT), professional sports matches will be played in empty stadiums and people are being urged to work from home as much as possible.

Stores selling non-essential items will have to close at 6 p.m. (PTI)