The government of the Netherlands is reportedly expected to announce a new partial lockdown on Friday (12 November).
Citing government sources, Dutch news agency NOS said a final cabinet decision would be announced in a televised address. According to the broadcaster, the measures will included early bar, restaurant and shop closures.
People will be urged to work from home where possible, and there will be no crowds at sporting events. The lockdown is expected to remain in place for at least three weeks.
New cases of Covid-19 in the Netherlands hit a new high on Thursday (11 November).
Earlier this year, the Netherlands was the first mainland European country to ease its Covid lockdown, only to reverse the decision a matter of weeks later as case numbers soared.
Around 70% of the eligible population in the Netherlands have been fully vaccinated.
In Austria, meanwhile, chancellor Alexander Schallenberg on Thursday said the country was days away from placing those not fully vaccinated against Covid-19 under lockdown.
Only around 65% of Austria’s population is fully vaccinated against Covid-19, one of the lowest rates of any western European nation.
Plans agreed by the Austrian government in September mean that once 30% of hospital beds are occupied by Covid-19 patients, those not vaccinated against Covid-19 will be placed under lockdown.
According to Reuters news agency, the level is currently around 20%.
"According to the incremental plan, we actually have just days until we have to introduce the lockdown for unvaccinated people," Schallenberg told a news conference, Reuters reports.
The UK, though, is bucking the trend towards rising case rates seen in mainland Europe; new cases in the UK are down 12% over the past week.
