Following a debate in the House of Representatives (Tweede Kamer) in which a majority voted for face masks to be made mandatory in all public indoor spaces across the country, Prime Minister Mark Rutte has update his advice.
At a press conference on Monday, Rutte advised all inhabitants of Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and The Hague to wear a mask in shops. Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema extended this advice to Eindhoven, and to all public indoor spaces in these four cities. However, many companies have already come out saying they will not enforce the rule.
Following the debate and parliamentary debate, which is still ongoing, Rutte has issued urgent advice for the whole of the Netherlands, and has asked everyone to wear a face mask in all indoor public spaces. This advice is effective immediately.
According to Rutte, there are still some questions that need to be answered in regards to the national face mask advice. More details will be announced on Friday, October 2. Rutte has said he wants schools to be exempt from the measure.