Dutch braced for riots as PM tightens curbs on bars and shops

THE Netherlands is to tighten its partial Covid lockdown with the early closure of bars, restaurants and shops, prime minister Mark Rutte announced last night, as police prepare for possible new riots against the curbs.

Schools, however, will stay open under the new measures, which will come into force tomorrow.

Hospitals will also cancel planned operations to free up beds as cases surge to record levels of more than 20,000 infections a day, despite the fact that 85 per cent of Dutch adults are vaccinated, the health minister said.

But new restrictions risk inflaming a tense situation after four nights of unrest across the country, particularly in the port city of Rotterdam where five rioters were shot by police.

The Dutch government decided yesterday that non-essential shops, bars, cafes, restaurants, cinemas and restaurants must close from 5pm to 5am, as of Sunday. Non-essential shops had previously been allowed to open until 6pm, and catering establishments until 8pm.

Schools will stay open, despite the fact that the largest rise in infections is among children, but pupils from the age of 10 must wear masks. Health experts of the Dutch Outbreak Management Team reportedly believed a new closure of schools would harm children.

But some experts have called for schools to be closed to halt the youthdriven tide of infections that is overwhelming hospitals.

Dutch authorities recorded 21,350 new infections on Friday, slightly below the seven-day average of 22,258.

Hospitals will cancel non-critical operations such as knee and hip operations, while heart and cancer treatments may have to be postponed, Hugo de Jonge, the health minister, said.

The Netherlands lifted most restrictions in September but was forced to reintroduce them in October, sparking unrest in The Hague, Rotterdam and other cities including Groningen. At least 173 people have been arrested.