Dutch expected to slightly ease lockdown despite rising infections

The Netherlands is expected to announce a slight easing of COVID-19 restrictions on Tuesday, allowing schools and hairdressers to reopen, as the government seeks to relieve months of lockdown even as infection rates rise again. A controversial night-time curfew will remain in place, however, broadcaster RTL said citing government sources, as health experts warn of a new wave of infections due to the rise of more contagious virus strains.

New coronavirus cases increased 19% to 29,997 in the week through Tuesday, the Dutch Institute for Public Health said, as new mutations continued to take hold.