Note: the date of this news report is March 31, 2020. Read the current information about the Dutch approach and measures against the coronavirus.
Among others, sports facilities, hospitality, and childcare will remain closed until April 28. Schools will remain closed at least until after the May holidays. The ban on events remains in effect until June 1.
The extension is necessary to control the spread of the coronavirus, protect vulnerable groups, and ensure that healthcare providers and hospitals can handle the heavy pressure. There must be sufficient evidence of a reduction in hospital admissions and ICU capacity before it can be said with certainty that the epidemic is under control and the measures can be reconsidered.
The Netherlands is not there yet. However, the right path has been taken. The number of patients is still increasing, but not as fast as several weeks ago, before measures were announced. Those currently infected with the virus infect fewer people on average than would be the case without measures. This means the measures are working. It takes several weeks before this decrease is visible in a decline in hospital patients. There is simply time between the moment people become infected, get sick, and a possible hospital admission.
It is therefore crucial that all Dutch people continue to adhere to the measures, as the risk of infection is still high. Continuing to comply with the measures is therefore essential.
Together, we will get corona under control.