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. And a lot of people watching will feel that way too,” Mr Rutte told a news conference on Saturday. “To sum it up in one sentence, the Netherlands will go back into lockdown from tomorrow.”

Under the new rules, people are being urged to stay at home as much as possible. Strict limits will be placed on the number of people who can meet – a maximum of two guests over the age of 13 will be allowed in people’s homes, and four on 24-26 December and on New Year’s Eve.

All schools will be closed until at least 9 January, while other lockdown measures will remain in place until at least 14 January.

The BBC’s Anna Holligan in The Hague said the announcement was being met with disbelief and dismay.