The new regulations will take effect from tonight, midnight, until January 19
The Netherlands will go into lockdown on Monday evening for five weeks, says Prime Minister Mark Rutte. “We are experiencing something unprecedented. The greatest we have ever experienced in peacetime”, said the PM during a televised press conference from the Torentje office in the Hague.
“We are experiencing something that is unprecedented”, says Rutte. “The hospital staff are incredibly stretched. Moreover, the Coronavirus is not a harmless flu, as many people think. It is a virus that can hit us hard,” said Rutte. 30,000 people with Coronavirus are said to be in hospital, of which about 6,000 in an ICU. “Without that treatment they would have died. And they often suffer from complaints long after discharge from the hospital,” says Rutte.
Schools closed
From Wednesday, all education is to be distanced, with schools closing: from primary schools to university education. Childcare will also close, unless parents are engaged in an essential profession.
Non-essential stores to close
All non-essential shops (clothing, electronics, hardware stores, etc) will have to close from tonight. Shops are allowed to deliver and hardware stores can set up pick-up counters. The catering industry will also remain closed. The PM said that extra attention will be given to a new support package for businesses.
Publicly accessible locations closed (museums, theaters, etc)
All publicly accessible locations – inside and outside – will also close again. From theaters and cinemas to museums, libraries and zoos. Hotels may remain open, but without a restaurant function or room service. Books can be picked up at libraries.
‘Contact professions’ stopped
Contact professions must also stop their service, these include sex workers, hairdressers and beauticians. The (para) medical contact professions such as physiotherapists and dentists will continue to be able to work.
A maximum of two guests (three during Christmas)
From now on you can only receive two guests at home. On the three Christmas days (24 to 26 December) you can visit a maximum of three guests. So it seems that on New Year’s Eve will also include only two guests.
Indoor sports venues closed
All indoor sports locations will be closed from Tuesday. Outdoor sports remain allowed and young people up to the age of 18 can continue to train in a team. According to Rutte, competitions are to be stopped, but it is unclear whether this also applies to professional sports.
Staying at home and no unnecessary travel / holidays until mid-March
The ongoing ‘urgent advice’ is to stay at home and not travel unnecessarily. Non-essential trips abroad, are also discouraged until mid-March. Traveling to the Netherlands is discouraged: travelers from outside Europe must submit a negative Coronavirus test to gain entry into the Netherlands.
Work at home!
Rutte also emphasizes that we really have to work from home again, unless there really is no other option. “Too many infections take place at work!” Public transport is also only available for essential journeys, he says.
“We have to bite through this very sour apple before it gets better,” says Rutte. “With the vaccine, 2021 will be the year of hope and of light at the end of the tunnel. In the coming period it will come down to resilience. Continue to help each other with that.”
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