LONDON — The Netherlands went into lockdown on Sunday and the possibility of more COVID-19 restrictions over the Christmas and New Year period loomed over several European countries as the Omicron coronavirus variant spreads quickly. In the United States, White House medical adviser Anthony Fauci urged people traveling over the holidays to get booster shots and always wear masks in crowded public spaces. ADVERTISEMENTHe described Omicron as “raging through the world,” and said traveling will increase the risk of infection even among vaccinated people. Dutch urban centers were largely deserted as the country began a snap lockdown that left people’s Christmas plans in disarray. Britain reported a surge in cases of Omicron on Saturday, with 25,000 recorded so far.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer December 19, 2021 22:07 UTC