Dutch nightlife has been shut off for a month after a sharp uptick in new COVID-19 cases.

The order, which applies to festivals and nightclubs, is currently in place until August 14. It comes after cases of COVID-19 increased seven-fold since nightlife reopened on June 26. Prime Minister Mark Rutte confirmed the decision in a press conference this past Friday (July 9) following 7,000 new cases being reported in the 24 hours prior.

Under the new rules, seated venues will be allowed to admit guests for events, provided they show a negative COVID-19 test. A midnight curfew is in place, and all tests must be done in the 24 hours prior to attending an event.

The government will review the blanket ban on August 13 to assess whether restrictions can be lifted.

The U-turn decision means that a number of club events and festivals have been forced to cancel. One of those is Dekmantel, which had been scheduled for August 6 to 8. "It's very painful to face the reality that we are unable to deliver an amazing festival, and that all our work has been for nothing, for the second year in a row, the festival's organisers said in a statement which confirmed plans to return in 2022.