Christmas lockdown looms for the Netherlands

The Dutch prime minister will give a rare television address at 1900 local time (1800GMT)

School and non-essential shops could be closed (Getty Images)

According to broadcasters NOS and RTL, Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte is expected to announce a tough month-long lockdown in the Netherlands.

This could include non-essential shops and schools shutting as the government's attempts to slow rapidly increasing rates of infection.

Emergency meetings were held Monday by Mr Rutte and unusually included the leaders of all political parties in parliament.

The broadcasters reported government sources saying the restrictions could last until 19 January.

It is expected that the tighter lockdown measures will be announced in a rare televised address, broadcast from the prime minister’s office at 1900 local time (1800GMT).

NOS and RTL suggested that gyms, museums, zoos, cinemas, beauty salons, hairdressers and daycare centres would also be shut.

If this is the case, the lockdown would be stricter than the initial one imposed between March and May. During the first wave shops were allowed to stay open while schools were shut.

Data showed numbers of coronavirus cases had increased by around 8,500 in the 24 hours leading up to Monday.

The previous day an increase of almost 10,000 was recorded, the largest rise in over six weeks. This spike in infections comes following celebrations marking the birthday of Saint Nicholas, known as Sinterklaas, on 5 December.

The country of 17 million has recorded over 600,000 cases and 10,00 deaths since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.