Stricter restrictions as Netherlands prepares for 5,000 daily coronavirus infections
NL TimesThe Netherlands can expect five thousand new infections of the SARS-CoV-2 novel coronavirus every day by next week, and because of that the government will implement stricter new restrictions on society which take effect on Tuesday at 6 p.m. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte and Health Minister Hugo de Jonge introduced their updated plan on Monday to combat the second wave of coronavirus infections, and a five-fold increase in hospitalizations in less than a month. "The most important news is that stricter national measures will be introduced from 6 pm tomorrow," Rutte said on Monday night. "Jaap van Dissel did not say that face masks do not work, but did say that it should not replace the 1.5 meters," Rutte said, referring to the head of public health agency RIVM. Aside from businesses being held responsible for infections among employees, the restrictions include the following: Restaurants and bars must close their doors to new customers at 9 p.m., and must be completely closed with no customers inside by 10 p.m. Up to 30 people will be allowed at indoor facilities, including children of all ages, but excluding staff.