The hospitality industry must shut for four weeks
by Thomas Ansell
The Dutch Prime Minister gave a press conference this evening announcing several stronger Coronavirus regulations, including shutting all hospitality outlets for two weeks, and banning the sale of alcohol after 20:00 (including in shops).
Cafés, restaurants, hotels can remain open for take-away service, with Rutte describing it as a ‘partial lockdown’. The amount of people allowed to meet inside has been reduced to 30, and everyone in the Netherlands has been asked to work from home as much as possible. Shops have also been asked to minimise the number of visitors inside at one time, and uphold the 1.5-metre social distancing rule.
Face-masks will now be required in all schools, for all age groups- though this will remain ‘urgent advice’ until it is written into law.
Dutch residents are also being asked not to play group or team sports, however the Cabinet has decided against banning holidays, instead requesting that people not travel to ‘orange list’ countries.
The measures will remain in place for four weeks, with a review after 14 days.
Earlier today the Volkskrant reported a new ‘road map’ with various risk levels that the Dutch government will use going forward.
Image by mohamed Hassan via Pixabay
