Keep Corona Out

Note: the date of this news item is August 18, 2020. Read the current information about the Dutch approach and measures against coronavirus.

The latest advice from the Outbreak Management Team (OMT) calls for a few extra steps nationwide. What this advice teaches us is that most infections occur in private settings, behind the front door. At family gatherings, birthday parties, neighborhood drinks, and among groups of friends. This is currently the source of most infections.

The main tightening is therefore a very urgent recommendation to limit the number of people you receive in your house and garden to a maximum of 6 guests. Children up to and including 12 years old are not counted. It must be asked in advance whether everyone is symptom-free. Of course, a distance of one and a half meters must always be maintained.

For parties, drinks, and other gatherings for large groups, it is better to go to a catering hall where there is more space and everyone has a fixed seat. So at 1.5 meters, without physical contact, with registration and a check conversation. Venue renters and caterers are asked to pay close attention to this, if they are not already doing so. Extra attention will also be given to enforcement.

Of all the measures we have taken from the beginning, the advice to work from home as much as possible has proven to be one of the most effective. There was no end date to this advice and it remains; work from home.

If you have been on vacation to an area where the travel advice is orange due to corona or have been in contact with someone who tested positive, then go into home quarantine. The OMT has advised that the period can be reduced from 14 to 10 days.

It also remains fully valid that everyone stays home if they have symptoms and gets tested. This can prevent the vast majority of infections. If the test result is positive, source and contact tracing will follow. This improves insight into the spread of the virus and allows for quick and targeted adjustments to counter the spread where the virus flares up.

Schools are working hard to create a safe environment. This includes children staying home if they have symptoms. Children also stay home if someone in the household tests positive for corona. The cabinet emphasized this again at the press conference.

• Receive a maximum of 6 people in the house or garden, excluding children up to and including 12 years old and your own household.
• Work from home as much as possible.
• Home quarantine is reduced from 14 to 10 days.