Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte was unable to visit his dying mother in her final weeks because he obeyed Coronavirus restrictions against visiting care homes, his office said on Monday.
They added: “The prime minister has complied with all directives.”
PM Mark Rutte mother’s death
Mark Rutte’s mother Mieke Rutte-Dilling died aged 96 at her care home in The Hague on 13 May, the PM said in a statement.
Mrs Rutte-Dilling did not die of coronavirus, despite an outbreak of the disease at her residential home, Dutch media reported.
Paying tribute to her, Mr Rutte said: “In addition to the great sadness and all fond memories, my family and I also have a feeling of gratitude that we were allowed to have her with us for so long.”
“We have now said goodbye to her in a family circle and hope to be able to deal with this great loss in peace in the near future,”
He added that he had “said goodbye to her in a family circle” before they have imposed Netherlands’ COVID-19 lockdown on 20 March.
Netherlands restrictions, and coronavirus cases
Dutch officials reintroduced social visits to some care homes on Monday, which will be extended across the board on 15 June.
The Netherlands has imposed an “intelligent lockdown” with fewer restrictions than many other European countries.
There has been 5,830 virus deaths and 45,445 infections, compared to 36,996 deaths in the UK and 262,547 confirmed cases.
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