Wash your hands well, cough and sneeze into the inside of your elbow, and use paper tissues. These general hygiene measures are important to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. On the advice of the RIVM, since the evening of Monday, March 9, 2020, people have also been urged not to shake hands.
On March 9, involved ministers were updated in the Ministerial Crisis Management Committee (MCCb) about the approach to the new coronavirus. Measures and consequences for the Netherlands were discussed from various perspectives. The cabinet emphasizes the importance of following the RIVMs advice.
Noord-Brabant
Since Friday, March 6, specific advice applies to residents of the province of Noord-Brabant. People with cold symptoms, cough, or fever are asked to limit social contacts. This means: do not go to school, work, or places where many people gather. They can contact their general practitioner if symptoms worsen. This call remains in effect for the next seven days, until Monday, March 16.
Employers are now also urged to make it possible for residents of Noord-Brabant to work from home where reasonably possible. They are also asked to consider whether working hours can be staggered. These additional measures can help prevent infection and also apply for the next seven days.
Rest of the Netherlands
For residents of the rest of the Netherlands, the call remains to stay home if:
- cold symptoms or a fever up to 38.0 degrees Celsius
- and when you have had contact with a patient with the coronavirus or have been in an area with many patients with the new coronavirus.
With mild symptoms, there is no need to call the general practitioner, as it may be a common cold. The advice is to recover at home and ensure you do not infect others. If symptoms worsen, contact your general practitioner by phone.
More information
More information can be found on the RIVM website and in the Coronavirus COVID-19 dossier.