The Netherlands has announced a strict lockdown over Christmas amid concerns over the Omicron coronavirus variant. Non-essential shops, bars, gyms hairdressers and other public venues will be closed until at least mid-January. Two guests per household will be allowed - four over the holidays. Prime Minister Mark Rutte said the measures were "unavoidable". Countries across Europe have been tightening restrictions as the heavily mutated variant spreads. The new rules in the Netherlands - the strictest to have been announced over Omicron so far - come into force on Sunday. "I stand here tonight in a sombre mood. ... (full story)