The Dutch government are reinstating covid-19 restrictions ahead of Christmas, as they face sharply rising coronavirus cases.
The caretaker prime minister of the Netherlands announced on Tuesday that the Dutch government is reinstating an order to wear face masks in public places like stores and libraries and mandating an extension for the use of COVID-19 passes.
Netherlands Covid news
COVID-19 cases have increased rapidly in the Netherlands over the last weeks. The country’s public health institute reported that infections rose 39% compared to the week before and hospital admissions were up 31% to 834 with a 20% increase in the number of patients admitted to ICU.
The upward trend began soon after the government ended most remaining lockdown restrictions in late September 2021.
Dutch government forced to make the move
“It won’t surprise anybody that we again have a tough message this evening,” Prime Minister Rutte said during a nationally televised press conference. “Tough because we, unfortunately, have to ask more of people now that the infection numbers and hospital numbers are rising quickly.”
Rutte also urged people to socially distance themselves, work from home at least half the time, and avoid travel to busy places and during the morning and evening rush hours.
As part of the new restrictions, students will have to wear face masks at school when they walk between classes. The new mask rules and requirements for COVID pass to be shown at more public locations, including museums and theme parks, are set to come into force on Saturday.
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