Dutch Prime Minister apologises for easing of Covid restrictions as cases soar

Mr Rutte's apology marked a sharp turn from his stance on Friday, when he repeatedly defended the earlier easing of restrictions as a 'logical step'

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte. File Picture: AP Photo/Peter Dejong, File

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte conceded on Monday that coronavirus restrictions had been lifted too soon in the Netherlands and he apologised as infections surged to their highest levels of the year.

Rutte last Friday reimposed curbs on bars, restaurants and nightclubs in an effort to stop a spate of infections among young adults, just two weeks after most lockdown measures in the country were lifted as cases were falling.