Rutte: “You already saw the first Christmas trees in living rooms a few weeks ago. It shows how extra important Christmas is to us. It’s been a tough year for many people. A loss of grief and grief, especially for those who have lost someone. Due to corona we already count 10,000 empty chairs at the Christmas table. All the more reason that we want to be together. ”
Yet the prime minister has only bad news about this: “The question has been asked a lot: what is possible with Christmas? The answer is unfortunately: no more than in recent months. We had hoped for more. ”
The cabinet is still feeling the pressure of the number of infections. The number of positive tests also increased significantly over the past week. In addition, the entire country is affected, with an increase in “every age group”. Rutte says he understands that the Netherlands is longing for relaxation, but simply cannot promise them, he believes. As the number of infections is still increasing, the pressure on hospitals is also increasing, it is expected.
Even sharpening possible
Rutte even said that in the run-up to Christmas, stricter measures might also be necessary. “We can’t run away from it if we have to.”
“Because things are really not going well,” said Rutte. “Not with the contamination figures and not with the hospital admissions. We are more than double. We are now at a crossroads. Let’s make the most of the Christmas period by staying at home as much as possible. ”
Letting go of the reins now could have a very high price, the cabinet argues.
Reopen catering industry
Yet even within the ministerial team, inconvenience is that the “partial lockdown” continues. For example, an internal memorandum from the Ministry of Economic Affairs leaked this afternoon, arguing for the reopening of the catering industry. Reopening the catering industry would even reduce the number of infections, because people would then meet at home less often than now.
Both the ministry and the RIVM hastened to say that these were not calculated analyzes. But it does show that there are forces in or around the cabinet who believe that the catering industry is suffering too much damage due to the continuous closure.
Rutte also noted that “we” can help the catering industry by picking up meals with or around Christmas or ordering them “at your favorite restaurants”.
“Corona Fatigue”
Rutte also noted that “the corona fatigue is increasing”. “We all feel that. But this is particularly felt in healthcare, in nursing homes. It is becoming increasingly difficult to round the grids. For that reason alone we have to adhere to the measures, so that those people get some air.
At the same time, Rutte put one glimpse of hope on the agenda. The cabinet will let the experts of the OMT see whether it should be possible again “in January” for people under 27 to exercise in groups.
