An illustrative photo of the Netherlands.

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TOBIAS SCHWARZ / AFP

For the first time since the start of the Covid-19 epidemic, the Netherlands will impose a nationwide curfew, Prime Minister Mark Rutte said on Wednesday.

This curfew would be in effect every day from 8:30 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. until February 10, Mark Rutte announced at a press conference, adding that he would seek Parliament's approval before this measure comes into effect. .

The government resigned on Friday

The government had initially scheduled a start of the curfew on Friday.

The Netherlands will also ban flights from Britain, South Africa and South America from January 23, as concern grows over the spread of Covid-19 variants, a added Mark Rutte.

“It is a severe measure.

No one wants a curfew.

Nobody applauds him, ”said the Dutch Prime Minister.

“Of course, we cannot and do not want to take such a drastic step without parliamentary approval.

If there is only sufficient support, we will make a final decision.

"

Mark Rutte and his government resigned on Friday, following a scandal related to family allowances, remaining in place to manage the fight against the new coronavirus and to handle day-to-day business, until legislative elections are held. in mid-March.

“Let's face it, the UK variant is indeed deadly,” said Mark Rutte.

"Even if the government had not resigned, we would have done the same by taking such a drastic measure," he said, adding that if Parliament agrees, the government will put in place the curfew. over the next few days.

Shops, schools, cafes and restaurants closed

“We are currently dealing with a serious threat to public health,” said Mark Rutte.

Violators of the curfew will incur a fine of 95 euros.

The Hague announced in mid-December a new series of measures to fight Covid-19, the most severe imposed in the Netherlands since the start of the health crisis.

So-called non-essential shops in particular are closed, as are schools but also cafes and restaurants which have already been closed since mid-October.

Although these measures, still in force, are described as "containment" by the Dutch authorities, the country is not subject to travel restrictions.

Mark Rutte also declared that it will only be possible to receive at home one person, against two maximum currently.

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