Indian River Press Journal from Vero Beach, Florida • A33

IC TCPALM.COM SUNDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2021 33A LONDON Nations across Europe moved to reimpose tougher measures to stem a new wave of COVID-19 infec- tions spurred by the highly transmis- sible omicron variant, with the Neth- erlands leading the way by imposing a nationwide lockdown. All nonessential stores, bars and restaurants in the Netherlands will be closed until Jan. 14 starting Sunday, caretaker Prime Minister Mark Rutte said Saturday night. Schools and uni- versities will shut until Jan. 9, he said.

Residents only will be permitted two visitors except for Christmas and New when four will be allowed, ac- cording to Rutte. Netherlands is going into lock- down again from Rutte said, adding that the move was avoidable because of the wave caused by the omicron variant that is bearing down on Before the Dutch announcement, alarmed ministers in France, Cyprus and Austria tightened travel restric- tions. Paris canceled its New Eve Denmark closed thea- ters, concert halls, amusement parks and museums. Ireland imposed an 8 p.m. curfew on pubs and bars and limited attendance at indoor and out- door events.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan under- scored the concern about the climbing cases and their potential to overwhelm the health care system by declaring a major incident Saturday, a move that allows local councils in Brit- capital to coordinate work more closely with emergency services. Irish Prime Minister Martin captured the sense of the continent in an address to the nation, saying the new restrictions were needed to protect lives and livelihoods from the virus. of this is Martin said Fri- day night. are all exhausted with COVID and the restrictions it requires. The twists and turns, the disappoint- ments and the frustrations take a heavy toll on everyone.

But it is the reality that we are dealing In the Netherlands, anticipation a government meeting Saturday would result in tougher restrictions caused shoppers to swarm commercial areas of Dutch cities, fearing it would be their last chance to buy Christmas gifts. In the U.K., where daily cases soared to record numbers this week, the government has reimposed a requirement for masks to be worn in- doors and ordered people to show proof of vaccination or a recent negative coro- navirus test when going to nightclubs and large events. But the moves are causing anger. Critics of British Prime Minister Boris latest coronavirus restric- tions Oxford Street, a popular London shopping area, on Saturday. The maskless protesters blew whistles, yelled and told passersby to remove their face coverings.

Scientists are warning the British government it needs to go further to pre- vent hospitals from being over- whelmed. In France, the government an- nounced that it will start giving the vac- cine to children in the 5-11 age group be- ginning Wednesday. Europeans reimpose rules as omicron spreads Netherlands into lockdown Danica Kirka and Mike Corder ASSOCIATED PRESS The Dutch government says it is imposing a tough nationwide lockdown in an attempt to rein in sharply rising levels of infections with the omicron coronavirus mutation. PETER WASHINGTON Vice President Ka- mala Harris got into a testy exchange with media host Charlamagne Tha God Friday, defending President Joe Biden from questions over roadblocks to passage of his social spending pack- age. Harris sat for a taped interview with Charlamagne airing Friday night on Comedy Honest where she tout- ed the infrastructure package, work addressing mater- nal mortality issues and police reform.

But Char- lamagne repeatedly pressed Harris about the inaction on much of agenda, pointing in particular to West Virginia Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin, whose opposition to the $2 trillion social spending bill is one of the primary obstacles to its passage. Charlamagne asked, want to know who the real president of this country is is it Joe Biden, or Joe Man- He repeated the question, elic- iting from the vice president a dis- mayed, Charlamagne. Joe no, no, Harris asserted. Joe Biden, and start talking like a Republican, about asking wheth- er or not She ticked a handful of admini- stration accomplishments, like the ex- pansion of the child tax credit and lead pipe replacement in the infrastructure law, and continued, hear the frustra- tion, but not deny the impact that had and agree also that there is a whole lot more work to be VP defends Biden in interview Alexandra Jaffe ASSOCIATED PRESS Harris NATION WORLD Smarter.

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