Netherlands goes into partial lockdown to contain coronavirus spread

The Netherlands returned to a 'partial lockdown' on Wednesday (October 14, 2020) following Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte's announcement on Tuesday evening to close bars and restaurants in order to control the coronavirus in one of Europe's major hotspots. 'Today we are announcing new and sturdy measures and in fact we are going to a partial lockdown,' Rutte said in a televised news conference. He said public gatherings of more than four people would be prohibited and alcohol sales in the evening would also be banned. Schools were to remain open and public transport would keep running, in contrast to measures imposed during a partial lockdown earlier this year.