More relaxations by May 19th if hospital numbers decrease
Prime Minister Mark Rutte and Minister for Health Hugo De Jonge have addressed whether the country will relax its coronavirus measures further.
The cabinet had hoped to enter step two of their five-step plan to relaxing measures today. However, this will not happen just yet. This delay in the government’s plan was
expected.
Next round of relaxations postponed until May 19
Rutte explained that according to advice from the Outbreak Management Team (OMT), the cabinet should only go ahead with step two of relaxations if there are 20% fewer infections in Dutch hospitals. However, the government believes this will be achieved by next week.
As a result, the government will now push back the second step by a week to Wednesday May 19th, with the intention of allowing
gyms, zoos, amusement parks, and music schools to reopen.
Outdoor seating areas will have extended opening hours. They will be allowed to remain open between
6 AM and 8 PM. This includes outdoor seating areas for sporting clubs.
The next round of relaxations will also allow
all contact professionals, including hookers, to return to work.
In line with gyms reopening (for all ages)
people over 27 will now be able to sport again in a group outside. There is a cap of 30 people, and no audiences will be allowed to attend.
Indoor gym areas will also reopen. People will have to book appointments in advance and socially distance. A maximum of two people can book together as a ‘group’ and in general there is a maximum of 30 people per location.
Open air concerts, theaters, and dance/music schools can reopen once again, registration is required.
Zoos and theme parks may also open their outdoor facilities with a maximum of two visitors above the age of 12 per booking (no limits for children under 12).
In the education sector, the government is considering removing the 1.5-meter social distance measure. A decision about this is expected on May 25th.
Again everything depends on infection numbers. If they do not fall by 20%, de Jonge will employ the “emergency brake option.” What exactly this option entails is not yet known but the cabinet hopes to have it ready for presentation by next Monday.
The government will now keep a close eye on the number of coronavirus infections and hospital admissions within the next week. This week, the RIVM reported 47,108 new infections a slight drop from the previous week’s 52,987.
On Monday, if the hospital numbers have dropped by at least 20%, the Netherlands will see these relaxations come into play.
