The Netherlands is set to announce strict anti-coronavirus measures ahead of Christmas including possibly closing all non-essential shops, theatres, museums and amusement parks, reports said Monday.

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte will speak to the nation at 7:00 pm (1800 GMT) as the number of infections continues to rocket and the death toll passed 10,000 over the weekend.

The change of venue from a usual press conference room to Rutte's office is significant as it is usually only used when the Dutch premier makes a major announcement.

Rutte also postponed a planned meeting Monday with Belgian counterpart Alexander De Croo "in connection with recent developments around Covid-19".

Parliamentary leaders of all Dutch political parties were to meet at Rutte's ministry later on Monday.

The expected tightening of measures follow a cabinet crisis meeting Sunday to discuss rapidly-rising figures with almost 10,000 new infections reported on the same day.

-Exactly what the more stringent measures will be is not yet known, but there are many indications that non-essential stores will have to close for a while- the NOS public broadcaster said.

-This also applies to places where people gather, such as museums, theatres and amusement parks.-

-Schools may also have to close for a while and cabinet is also considering advising only going out when really necessary- the NOS said.

The Dutch measures come after neighbouring German announced it would go into a partial lockdown from Wednesday with non-essential shops and schools to close as it battles an "exponential growth" in coronavirus infections.