Dutch lockdown as Europe intensifies Omicron response

London's mayor has declared a 'major incident' in the British capital, calling the case surge 'hugely concerning'.AMSTERDAM - The Netherlands on Saturday announced a Christmas lockdown and London declared a"major incident" as Europe tries to rein in rising Covid-19 case numbers and the highly mutated Omicron strain takes hold.

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte announced that all non-essential shops, cultural and entertainment venues must shut until January 14, while schools will close until at least January 9. Britain registered record case numbers for three days in a row during the week, prompting new regulations and reports that another lockdown is being considered. Most of the new cases recorded in London are of the Omicron variant.

In France, a scientific panel urged the government to impose"significant restrictions" on new year festivities, and the capital Paris announced"with regret" that it was cancelling all events on the Champs Elysees.

They are all locking down and we are staying open. They know something we don't

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