The Netherlands has become the first EU country to re-enter a strict nationwide lockdown in a response to the spread of the Omicron Covid-19 variant that will shutter swaths of the economy until at least mid-January.

Tough new restrictions to close all bars, restaurants, non-essential shops, cinemas, and gyms kicked in on Sunday morning and will last until at least January 14. Professional sports events will take place without crowds and homes can invite a maximum of four guests during the Christmas period, to be reduced to two after the holidays.

Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte told journalists on Saturday that the measures were “unavoidable” in the face of a variant which is spreading “even faster” than authorities had expected. “We have to intervene now to prevent it from getting worse,” said Rutte.