The cabinet is taking strict measures to prevent the spread of the corona virus. The new rules will take effect on Tuesday at 6 p.m. and will initially apply for three weeks. This is changing.
Hospitality and events
Catering establishments throughout the country must close from Tuesday at 10 p.m. Moreover, they are not allowed to let in new guests in the last hour. The maximum group size is also limited. From now on, no more than thirty people are allowed inside, and no more than 40 people outside for both catering and events. Exceptions to this rule are made for funerals, demonstrations and for education, among other things. The maximum group size also does not apply in public transport and at airports.
The presidents of the security regions may grant an exemption to halls of great cultural importance, such as theaters. The maximum does not apply there. People have to keep a distance of 1.5 meters from each other. The maximum group size does not apply at the so-called transfer locations, where guests are not in one room but can move freely. Museums, amusement parks and zoos will determine, together with the mayor, how many people will be admitted safely.
Sport
An audience is no longer allowed at sporting events. Professional athletes and amateurs alike will have to do without encouragement from fans, friends and family members for the next few weeks. Sports canteens will also remain closed.
Travel and shopping
For the next three weeks, the explicit advice will again apply to limit travel movements as much as possible. Taking the bus to the city to go shopping with a group is not the intention, the prime minister said. The shops will remain open. Retailers are obliged to implement a door policy so that people can stop within five feet. In Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague it is recommended to wear a mouth mask in the store. It is not mandatory, but retailers can refuse customers if they do not want to wear the cap. Larger supermarkets will also reserve an hour twice a day for the elderly and other people who are vulnerable to the corona virus, so that they can do their shopping safely.
To work
The advice to work from home as much as possible becomes more compelling. The new motto will be: work at home unless there really is no other option. The prime minister explicitly called on employers to take responsibility and not allow more people to come to the office than is strictly necessary. This also means that team outings and other social activities in a work context are not allowed. If a cluster of infections develops in a work situation, a company can be temporarily closed.
Unlike during the intelligent lockdown, people with contact professions are allowed to continue working. However, a registration requirement will apply in the near future, just as in the catering industry. Anyone visiting the hairdresser, for example, must leave contact details there, in order to facilitate a possible source and contact investigation of the GGD.
Privately
You may still receive visitors at home, but a maximum of three guests at the same time. Children up to the age of thirteen are not included in this. Meeting outside with others is also allowed, but with a maximum of four people, outside of your own family.
Mouth caps
Mouth masks are not mandatory anywhere. The government does not go further than an advice to wear a mouth mask in shops in Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague. In the coming days, the Outbreak Mangament Team (OMT) will investigate whether it could be useful to wear a mouth mask in more places or not.
The new measures are known. The catering industry closes its doors at 10 p.m., travel is limited and working from home becomes the norm again. What are the reactions?
Nazrien Ozir (45), The Hague.
“To be honest, I don’t mind the measures. Just that travel should be limited now is a bit tricky: my brother lives in Amsterdam. He is at risk with his heart complaints. On the other hand, we already called each other every day. Everything for health, which is why I think the measures are good. I often take a bottle of disinfectant to the supermarket myself. The shopping trolleys are no longer disinfected, even though they are still used by many people. ”
“I hope that people will soon become a bit more proactive and also start wearing a mouth mask. I myself have been wearing a mouth mask since the summer. It is better not to blame and condemn others, but to set a good example yourself. I do think that we in the Netherlands complain too often and unnecessarily, they should take a look at Suriname and other third world countries, where they yearn for hand gel and soap. It seems as if the more luxury we are used to, the more unnecessary comment is provided. ”
Ramon van Marwijk (44), Groningen
“I won’t be able to go to the hockey matches of my sons anymore. A pity in itself, since the field is a place where you can keep your distance. Overall, however, I find it very encouraging that more measures are now being taken. It was in line with expectations. Only enforcement seems difficult to me; how are you going to check how many people you have invited indoors? ”
“I think it is a shame that mouth masks are not mandatory now, but that retailers are allowed to decide for themselves whether they allow people without a mask. An obligation from the cabinet to wear masks in supermarkets can increase the willingness to wear masks in other places where you cannot keep your distance. I’ve been doing that myself for a week. Especially in the supermarket, where I have the idea that it is difficult to avoid each other. The indicated routes do not work; people just walk back and forth to get their groceries. ”
“I also think that wearing a face mask is a kind of statement, that you send a signal that the situation is serious. It’s not going well and we need to do something about it. Yet you don’t see them here in Groningen as yet. In my opinion not enough, especially in places where it is busy, such as the supermarket, market or drugstores, where the aisles are very narrow. I also noticed on Twitter the past week that the reactions are divided when I posted a selfie with a face mask on. Many people wonder why you would do it. That is also a bit of the Dutch mentality; act normal, then you are crazy enough.
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Do mouth masks make sense? It depends on which researcher you ask
Now that a second wave is imminent, the call for a duty to mask the mouth is getting louder. The evidence for its usefulness is growing, but is far from solid.
