The Netherlands Imposes Strict Lockdown From 5 P.M. Sunday In Fear of Protests; Arrests Several People as a “Precaution”

Does anyone recall the movie Minority Report, where special police units arrest people before committing a crime?

That’s the reality citizens of the Netherlands face with their government’s latest lockdown. 

In fear of a repeat of last week’s chaotic Rotterdam protests, the Netherlands government has issued a strict lockdown from 5 p.m. Sunday. 

Protests turned violent in the Netherlands as crowds in Rotterdam marched against government plans to make a 'coronavirus pass' mandatory for some indoor venues https://t.co/zqTADgZZiW pic.twitter.com/N3haRtyRJQ

— Reuters (@Reuters) November 20, 2021

The country will grind to a halt in the government’s efforts to thwart potential riots.

The Netherlands government took an unprecedented step to deter further chaos that spits in the face of human rights. 

Authorities made several arrests as a “precaution” to avoid protests.

So, citizens can get arrested now because they might get out of hand at a protest?

That sinister action by the Netherlands government would baffle George Orwell. 

Die Niederlande verhängen einen strickten Lockdown ab 17 Uhr. Weil die Regierung Proteste fürchtet, „wurden mehrere Personen vorsorglich festgenommen‘.
Der Staat kümmert sich, Vorsorge wird neu definiert in Corona-Zeiten. Oder ist das gar nicht neu? Gab es das etwa schon einmal? pic.twitter.com/qGkrDn8fKf

— Boris Reitschuster (@reitschuster) November 26, 2021

The Netherlands impose a strict lockdown from 5 p.m.
The Netherlands will close on Sunday. PM Rutte announced that "in principle everything" would then be closed. At the same time, the government fears new riots – several people were arrested as a precaution.

Der Spiegel

— News & Lulz (@gitgit_tsaprr) November 26, 2021

The harsh evening lockdowns start at 5 p.m. on Sunday, and the entire European nation will effectively close at that time every night.

Supermarkets are the lone exception to this authoritative rule.

As reported by Spiegel:

The Netherlands want to react to the rapidly increasing numbers of infections and patients in the country with a hard cut. An evening lockdown will apply nationwide from Sunday: Shops, cultural venues, restaurants and sports clubs will then have to close at 5 p.m. every day.

Prime Minister Mark Rutte announced that the tightened measures will initially apply for three weeks . “In the Netherlands, everything is then basically closed from 5 p.m.” Supermarkets are excluded.

Schools should remain open for the time being. However, students aged ten and over must wear a face mask when they are not in their place. The 1.5 meter distance rule is being extended to cinemas, theaters and restaurants. This means that they can receive fewer visitors. The mask requirement will apply there again. There must be a turning point, said Rutte.

Land on the verge of a state of emergency

The situation in hospitals in particular is worsening. Health Minister Hugo de Jonge imposed emergency measures so that acute treatments can now also be canceled. In a hospital in Utrecht, 120 military personnel are deployed to relieve nursing staff. The state of emergency must be prevented, said de Jonge.

Throughout the country, emergency services had prepared for possible unrest due to the tightened measures. Some people had already been arrested on Friday as a precaution for calling for riots on social networks. Last weekend there had been violent riots all night long. The police are again expecting protests over the weekend.