Amsterdam looks empty as new COVID curbs kick in

The streets of the normally bustling city of Amsterdam were virtually empty on Wednesday, after the Dutch government tightened even further the strict five-week coronavirus lockdown that went into force just a day earlier, amid a backlash over some large stores remaining open.

In a letter to parliament, the government said that only stores where sales of essential items such as food, non-prescription medicines, pet food and sanitary products amounted to more than 70% of their turnover would be allowed to remain open.

All schools and universities switched to remote learning on Wednesday.

Child daycare centres will be closed to all except children of key workers.

Bars and restaurants have been closed since mid-October, although many restaurants and cafes have offered takeout food and coffee.

The cannabis-selling coffee shops of Amsterdam are also allowed to stay open for takeaway sales.

With Christmas fast approaching the government has also urged people to receive a maximum of two guests over the age of 13 per day, but relaxed the rule slightly for December 24th-26th, saying three people can visit on these festive days.

The Christmas lights may be up, but the streets in Amsterdam and other Dutch towns and cities were far less busy than in previous days and weeks when local authorities sometimes had to call on people not to visit overcrowded shopping streets.

Around 10,000 people in the Netherlands are confirmed to have died of COVID-19 since the start of the outbreak.