close

Dutch government to announce new coronavirus lockdown measures

Dutch government to announce new coronavirus lockdown measures

Read all about the press conference and the new coronavirus restrictions here.

Sources from The Hague have confirmed that the coronavirus press conference on Friday evening will see Prime Minister Mark Rutte and Health Minister Hugo de Jonge announce a three-week lockdown for the Netherlands.

The Netherlands put under a three-week lockdown

Less than a week since the most recent set of restrictions came into effect, the Dutch government has decided to follow the advice of the Outbreak Management Team (OMT) and implement a short lockdown in an attempt to curb the spread of COVID-19

Sources have confirmed to the NOS that the lockdown will see the following restrictions introduced:

  • Bars, restaurants, and non-essential shops must close at 7pm
  • Work from home as much as possible 
  • Max. four household guests
  • No audience at sporting events

Schools are expected to remain open, as well as theatres and cinemas

The lockdown is set to last three weeks, coming into effect at 7pm on Saturday, November 13 and lifting on December 4 - right in time for Sinterklaas.

Dutch government considering implementing the 2G rule

The final discussions will be taking place on Friday afternoon, and a handful of details are yet to be finalised. For example, the cabinet is hoping to reinstate the 1,5-metre distance rule, but Dutch law must be amended in order for this to happen. 

Potentially the most controversial measure the government is considering is the switching from the so-called 3G rule to the more restrictive 2G rule - which is already widely implemented in Germany. Under the 3G rule, members of the public can use proof of vaccination, proof of recovery, or a recent negative test result as their coronavirus certificate. The 2G rule means a negative test result is no longer accepted in the CoronaCheck app

Over the past month, the Netherlands has faced a rising infection rate, and the number of coronavirus patients being treated in Dutch hospitals rose to 1.699 on Thursday. The press conference will be held at 7pm on Friday, November 12.

Victoria Séveno

Author

Victoria Séveno

Victoria grew up in Amsterdam, before moving to the UK to study English and Related Literature at the University of York and completing her NCTJ course at the Press Association...

Read more

JOIN THE CONVERSATION (0)

COMMENTS

Leave a comment