AMSTERDAM (Reuters). A Dutch advisory panel of expert pandemic specialists recommended Thursday the imposition of a partial lockdown in western Europe. It was imposed to pressure the government into taking unpopular and drastic action against a COVID-19 increase.

The cabinet of Caretaker Prime Minster Mark Rutte is set to decide on Friday whether new measures will be implemented following the Outbreak Management Team’s recommendation, broadcaster NOS stated.

The NOS report stated that there were several options available to cancel events, close theatres and cinemas, as well earlier closing hours for cafes or restaurants. Schools will be open.

The recommendations of the panel are usually followed by government but it is not always.

Although infections are at an all-time high, many developed nations have stated that additional lockdowns will not be necessary as vaccines have been widely distributed.

Britain is one of the countries that have resorted to vaccine booster shots in order to boost immunity and prevent over-stretching their health systems during winter.

The Netherlands only provides booster shots for a select few people with weak immune system. Hospitals in the Netherlands, where COVID-19 is a common disease, have had to reduce their regular care despite an adult vaccine rate of 85%.

According to data from the Netherlands Institute for Health, patients with COVID-19 who were not vaccinated had a median of 59 years, compared with 77 for vaccinated.

About 56% Dutch COVID-19 patients had never been vaccinated. 70% of the COVID-19 intensive care unit patients were unvaccinated.

The Netherlands has reintroduced the mask and increased the number of places that require a “corona” pass (which demonstrates vaccinations or negative results) to gain entry.

On Tuesday, the institute reported that weekly cases rose by 45% to 76.790 or 400 for every 100,000 people.