Health experts advising the Dutch government on dealing with COVID-19 are recommending that the country go for a “severe” lock, just days after extending the partial lockout until January, Dutch media reported on Friday.

RTL News and NRC Handelsblad cited sources within the expert panel, whose recommendations were not made public until the government made a decision, advising it to close everything except essential stores.

Health Minister Hugo de Jong told reporters on the sidelines of a cabinet meeting on Friday that he was “deeply concerned” about Omigran’s rapid spread, which came shortly after the outbreak of previous epidemics in the Netherlands.

“I will not say what additional measures are needed,” de Zhang said, adding that the government would follow the advice of health experts.

The government of Prime Minister Mark Rudd is scheduled to meet with health advisers on Saturday before deciding on new measures.

Last Tuesday, the government ordered the closure of restaurants and most shops, which were imposed from late November to January 14, from 5pm to 5am.

In addition, an order was issued to close primary schools early for the winter holidays due to the high incidence of the disease among children.

Rutte said Omigron could be the dominant strain of the corona virus in the Netherlands by January.