In the Netherlands, the authorities decided to introduce hard quarantine in order to prevent too quickly distributing the new Omicron strain. This was stated on Saturday, December 18, at a press conference of VRIO Prime Minister Mark Rutte, reports TASS.
“Netherlands are again forced to close. This is necessary because of the new wave with an Omicron option,” he said.
In late November, the European Disease Prevention and Control Center (ECDC) declared a high degree of risk due to a new dangerous strain of coronavirus, which was identified in South Africa. The report of the Center marks the danger of strain for Europe and European Economic Space, including Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein.
The new strain of coronavirus B.1.1.529 called Omicron was first discovered in South Africa on November 11. Omicron was already found in Europe on November 26. The first European country, where the presence of a new strain was confirmed, was Belgium.