The Netherlands will go into a total lockdown from tonight, with all but essential shops closing, as well as schools, museums, gyms and hairdressers. Prime minister Mark Rutte will announce the measures in a speech to the nation at 7pm, but many have already been leaked or confirmed via official channels, broadcaster NOS said. However, reports that a curfew might be part of the package, particularly at New Year, have not yet been confirmed.
Both primary and secondary schools will be shut from Wednesday and will shift back to online education. Daycare centres will also close, but will remain open for parents who work in essential professions. Gyms, pools and saunas must also close their doors, but dentists and physiotherapists can continue to practice. Sex workers must also shut up shop until January 19.
Rising tests
The cabinet has decided to take drastic steps because the number of positive coronavirus tests has been rising steadily, reaching almost 10,000 on Sunday. Ministers had set a target of 3,600 cases per day by mid December. People will be urged to stay home as much as possible and to avoid visitors, with no more than two allowed apart from on December 25 and 26, when there is a maximum of three guests.
Hotels can remain open but cannot serve their guests with either food or drink. ‘The situation is very serious,’ health minister Hugo de Jonge said after Monday morning’s cabinet meeting. ‘The figures have gone up sharply in recent days and we have to reduce pressure on the care services.’ Ministers are also concerned that people are no longer taking the measures to combat the virus seriously.
Over the past week, police have handed out 543 fines to people who were not keeping to the coronavirus rules, and ended 50 illegal parties. Officials also believe that tougher rules are easier to enforce.
Shops
Non-food retail sector organization Inretail said in a reaction that the new lockdown will be a disaster for its members, given that December is the most important month of the year, and many will now be stuck with Christmas stock. However, Dutch central bank chief Olaf Sleijpen told broadcaster NOS that the bank favors a hard lockdown now because hopefully the economy will then be able to recover more quickly. Ministers met to finalize the package of measures on Monday morning, after which political party leaders were briefed by the prime minister.
Source DutchNews.nl
