Note: the date of this news item is March 24, 2020. Read the current information about the Dutch approach and measures against the coronavirus.
The cabinet has taken additional and tightened measures to combat the coronavirus focused on events and gatherings. These measures were broadly announced during the press conference on Monday, March 23. Further consultation followed, leading to further elaboration and clarification.
Based on Article 7 of the Public Health Act, Minister de Jonge of Health, Welfare and Sport, also on behalf of Minister of Justice and Security Grapperhaus, has asked the Safety Board to implement the following measures. The Safety Board consists of the chairpersons of the Safety Regions.
1. Events requiring permits or notifications are prohibited until June 1, 2020.
The measures mentioned under 2 through 7 will be reconsidered no later than April 6, 2020.
2. All other gatherings are prohibited, with some exceptions:
a. legally required gatherings (max 100 people), such as municipal council meetings and the States General
b. gatherings necessary for the continuation of daily work of institutions, companies and other organizations (max 100 people);
c. funerals and wedding ceremonies (max 30 people);
d. gatherings of a religious or philosophical nature (max 30 people).
These gatherings may only proceed if all hygiene measures to combat the coronavirus are observed and a 1.5 meter distance can be maintained.
3. Casinos, gaming halls and similar establishments are to be closed. Also, businesses offering personal care contact professions such as hairdressers and nail salons must close their doors.
4. The exercise of all forms of contact professions is prohibited, insofar as a 1.5 m distance to the customer cannot be maintained. This includes masseurs, hairdressers, nail stylists, escort services and driving instructors. An exception is made for (para)medical professions if there is an individual medical indication and the practitioner can comply with all hygiene requirements.
5. Shops and markets must be closed and public transport terminated if the applicable hygiene measures and 1.5 m distance are not or insufficiently followed.
6. Locations such as holiday parks, campsites, parks, nature reserves and beaches must be closed if these locations do not or insufficiently comply with the applicable hygiene measures and 1.5 m distance or if this threatens to happen.
7. Group formation (whether accidental or not) in public spaces is prohibited. The cabinet defines a group as three or more persons who do not keep a distance of 1.5 m. There is no group formation if the persons form a single household. There is also no group formation if children up to and including 12 years play together under supervision of one or more parents or guardians, provided the parents and/or guardians keep 1.5 m distance among themselves.
The letter to the Safety Board indicates that measures 2 and 3 must be included in an emergency ordinance. Measures 4 through 7 must be included in the emergency ordinance in such a way that enforcement is possible if necessary.