It is expected that schools, restaurants, and sports clubs will have to stay closed longer, but no ‘lockdown’ expected
Tonight there will be an update from the Dutch government around the various regulations taken against the spread of the COVID-19 Coronavirus. The GGD in Groningen expects that though business will be required to stay shut for longer, there will be no ‘lockdown’ measures announced as seen in other countries.
Prime Minister Mark Rutte (VVD) and Minister of Health Hugo de Jonge (CDA) will give a press conference on Tuesday evening. They are very likely to announce that the package of measures will be extended: schools, restaurants and sports clubs are likely to remain closed until late April or early May.
According to Sjaak de Gouw of the GGD, it is unlikely that there will be further tightening of the rules. “The chance of what some call a lockdown is still very small,” says De Gouw, who is director of Public Health within the GGD. “The measures we have taken here do not essentially differ from what other countries have decided.” As reported by OOGTV.
The package of measures is therefore expected to be extended until the beginning of May. De Gouw says that this sensible. “There are a few reasons for that. You are then around the May holidays and that is a moment for the schools to open again afterwards. And it also has to do with the holiday problems around the May holidays. In other words, what are people going to do and what not to do during holiday time. ”
The ministers’ press conference is expected to start at 19:00, and will be broadcast on NPO Nieuws, NOS.nl, and both the NOS Facebook and YouTube channels.
