Dutch coronavirus policy at a dead-end, New coronavirus minister needed, says Labour MP
3 years ago

Dutch coronavirus policy at a dead-end, New coronavirus minister needed, says Labour MP

NL Times  

The Tweede Kamer will cut short its winter recess, which officially began on Friday, to hold a debate Tuesday on the new lockdown the Cabinet implemented over the weekend. Labour MP Attje Kuiken, who sits on the Tweede Kamer’s public health committee, indicated she was aggravated by the Cabinet’s sudden decision to put the country in a lockdown that will last at least four weeks. When that happens, there should be one minister handling only coronavirus issues, she said, instead of a minister handling the pandemic in addition to the Cabinet’s entire public health agenda. The MP still sees the need for the Outbreak Management Team, a group of healthcare experts advising the Cabinet on its handling of coronavirus issues. She also wants her fellow Members of Parliament to spend more time debating the future, and the Cabinet’s vision, and not just the minutiae of its proposed policy, like when MPs spent hours debating the exact start time of the lockdown curfew implemented in January.

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History of this topic

Dutch gov't blind to long-term consequences of coronavirus approach: Dutch Safety Board
1 year, 2 months ago

Dutch gov't blind to long-term consequences of coronavirus approach: Dutch Safety Board

NL Times  

During the coronavirus pandemic, the Dutch government was so focused on keeping acute care available that it was blind to the other effects of its coronavirus policy. By focusing its policy on available ICU places, the government ignored other issues like health problems due to delayed care, Long Covid, and broader social problems. “During the coronavirus crisis, the Cabinet stuck …

Netherlands pledges to compensate healthcare workers suffering from Long Covid
1 year, 10 months ago

Netherlands pledges to compensate healthcare workers suffering from Long Covid

NL Times  

The Cabinet will still draw up a financial scheme for healthcare workers who are no longer able to work due to the long-term effects of Covid-19 complaints, Medical Care Minister Conny Helder told the Tweede Kamer on Wednesday. Despite Helder’s promise, a lawsuit seeking compensation for the workers will continue to move forward for now The Tweede Kamer has been …

No need for action now on coronavirus, says public health chief
2 years, 2 months ago

No need for action now on coronavirus, says public health chief

Dutch News  

The Netherlands does not yet need to take any new steps to prevent the spread of coronavirus and the increase in infections over the past two weeks is ‘relatively modest’, Jaap van Dissel, head of the public health institute RIVM told MPs on Wednesday. Van Dissel, who was addressing parliament’s healthcare committee, said most people who are currently infected have …

No need for action now on coronavirus, says public health chief
2 years, 2 months ago

No need for action now on coronavirus, says public health chief

Dutch News  

The Netherlands does not yet need to take any new steps to prevent the spread of coronavirus and the increase in infections over the past two weeks is ‘relatively modest’, Jaap van Dissel, head of the public health institute RIVM told MPs on Wednesday. Van Dissel, who was addressing parliament’s healthcare committee, said most people who are currently infected have …

Government urged not to fall behind with pandemic response
2 years, 3 months ago

Government urged not to fall behind with pandemic response

Dutch News  

Government advisers have urged ministers to step up preparations for a potential resurgence of coronavirus in the autumn. A joint report by 14 organisations, led by the Scientific Council for Government Policy, criticised ministers for putting off decisions on controversial measures such as compulsory vaccination and access passes for venues. The temporary law expired in June when the Senate voted …

Government urged not to fall behind with pandemic response
2 years, 3 months ago

Government urged not to fall behind with pandemic response

Dutch News  

Government advisers have urged ministers to step up preparations for a potential resurgence of coronavirus in the autumn. A joint report by 14 organisations, led by the Scientific Council for Government Policy, criticised ministers for putting off decisions on controversial measures such as compulsory vaccination and access passes for venues. The temporary law expired in June when the Senate voted …

Netherlands must prepare society for future Covid waves: Advisory bodies
2 years, 3 months ago

Netherlands must prepare society for future Covid waves: Advisory bodies

NL Times  

We have to learn to live with the coronavirus, so the government must prepare society as soon as possible for the next phase of the pandemic, 14 agencies, including the Scientific Council for Government Policy, said in advice to the Cabinet. Among other things, the Netherlands must invest in good digital infrastructure so that the switch to online classes and …

Experts say Dutch corona strategy is breaching constitutional rights
2 years, 5 months ago

Experts say Dutch corona strategy is breaching constitutional rights

Dutch News  

A group of disease specialists plan to take the Dutch government to the human rights council unless it takes action to pre-empt a new wave of coronavirus infections in the autumn. The group, which includes members of the independent ‘Red Team’ that acted as an unofficial advice body in the first wave of the pandemic, published an open letter to …

Experts say Dutch corona strategy is breaching constitutional rights
2 years, 5 months ago

Experts say Dutch corona strategy is breaching constitutional rights

Dutch News  

A group of disease specialists plan to take the Dutch government to the human rights council unless it takes action to pre-empt a new wave of coronavirus infections in the autumn. The group, which includes members of the independent ‘Red Team’ that acted as an unofficial advice body in the first wave of the pandemic, published an open letter to …

Keep to the basic coronavirus rules, employers say as cases rise
2 years, 6 months ago

Keep to the basic coronavirus rules, employers say as cases rise

Dutch News  

The Netherlands’ two biggest employers organisations have made a public appeal to get people to start keeping to the basic coronavirus rules again, because of fears that a new wave is imminent. ‘Work from home if you have symptoms and ventilate properly – it is very important to do so now that the number of coronavirus infections in the Netherlands …

Keep to the basic coronavirus rules, employers say as cases rise
2 years, 6 months ago

Keep to the basic coronavirus rules, employers say as cases rise

Dutch News  

The Netherlands’ two biggest employers organisations have made a public appeal to get people to start keeping to the basic coronavirus rules again, because of fears that a new wave is imminent. ‘Work from home if you have symptoms and ventilate properly – it is very important to do so now that the number of coronavirus infections in the Netherlands …

Minister won't guarantee no lockdowns if new coronavirus variant hits
2 years, 6 months ago

Minister won't guarantee no lockdowns if new coronavirus variant hits

Dutch News  

Dutch health minister Ernst Kuipers has said he cannot guarantee that a new lockdown will not be imposed in the Netherlands because of the risk that a new, more infectious and problematic variant of coronavirus will hit. Vaccinations The minister also told MPs on Thursday that he is not concerned about regional health board capacity to carry out a new …

Minister won't guarantee no lockdowns if new coronavirus variant hits
2 years, 6 months ago

Minister won't guarantee no lockdowns if new coronavirus variant hits

Dutch News  

Dutch health minister Ernst Kuipers has said he cannot guarantee that a new lockdown will not be imposed in the Netherlands because of the risk that a new, more infectious and problematic variant of coronavirus will hit. Vaccinations The minister also told MPs on Thursday that he is not concerned about regional health board capacity to carry out a new …

Fewer than 500 people are now hospitalised with coronavirus
2 years, 7 months ago

Fewer than 500 people are now hospitalised with coronavirus

Dutch News  

The number of coronavirus patients being treated in Dutch hospitals fell below 500 on Thursday, for the first time since October 2021. The number of people testing positive for coronavirus fell to 10,000 last week but the figure is no longer an accurate representation of the spread of the virus, given that people are no longer been recommended to have …

Fewer than 500 people are now hospitalised with coronavirus
2 years, 7 months ago

Fewer than 500 people are now hospitalised with coronavirus

Dutch News  

The number of coronavirus patients being treated in Dutch hospitals fell below 500 on Thursday, for the first time since October 2021. The number of people testing positive for coronavirus fell to 10,000 last week but the figure is no longer an accurate representation of the spread of the virus, given that people are no longer been recommended to have …

'New lockdowns loom' if government fails to anticipate autumn corona wave
2 years, 7 months ago

'New lockdowns loom' if government fails to anticipate autumn corona wave

Dutch News  

The Netherlands needs to step up its preparations for a new wave of coronavirus infections in the autumn or risk another lockdown, experts have warned. Administrators said there was a lack of urgency among policymakers to fix problems, such as a shortage of intensive care beds, that hampered the Dutch pandemic response in the last two years. ‘We have fewer …

'New lockdowns loom' if government fails to anticipate autumn corona wave
2 years, 7 months ago

'New lockdowns loom' if government fails to anticipate autumn corona wave

Dutch News  

The Netherlands needs to step up its preparations for a new wave of coronavirus infections in the autumn or risk another lockdown, experts have warned. Administrators said there was a lack of urgency among policymakers to fix problems, such as a shortage of intensive care beds, that hampered the Dutch pandemic response in the last two years. ‘We have fewer …

Netherlands not prepared for Covid-19 outbreak in the fall: experts
2 years, 7 months ago

Netherlands not prepared for Covid-19 outbreak in the fall: experts

NL Times  

With hardly any restrictions in place, the coronavirus seems to have slipped from public consciousness. I don’t think that new structure will be in place this fall,” Anja Schreijer, former Outbreak Management Team member and former Head of the Infectious Disease Control Department at the GGD Amsterdam explained. “The demand is 600 million euros, the Cabinet has promised 300 million.” …

Netherlands 'needs to step up preparations for autumn Covid outbreak'
2 years, 7 months ago

Netherlands 'needs to step up preparations for autumn Covid outbreak'

Dutch News  

The Netherlands is poorly prepared for a new surge in coronavirus infections in the autumn because of failures to put basic safety measures in place such as ventilation in schools, health experts have warned. ‘Covid care isn’t rocket science,’ Armand Girbes, head of intensive care at Amsterdam’s UMC teaching hospital.’ It’s more efficient to concentrate healthcare rather than implement it …

Netherlands 'needs to step up preparations for autumn Covid outbreak'
2 years, 7 months ago

Netherlands 'needs to step up preparations for autumn Covid outbreak'

Dutch News  

The Netherlands is poorly prepared for a new surge in coronavirus infections in the autumn because of failures to put basic safety measures in place such as ventilation in schools, health experts have warned. ‘Covid care isn’t rocket science,’ Armand Girbes, head of intensive care at Amsterdam’s UMC teaching hospital.’ It’s more efficient to concentrate healthcare rather than implement it …

Covid access pass will only return if it is effective at the time, Health Min says
2 years, 8 months ago

Covid access pass will only return if it is effective at the time, Health Min says

NL Times  

The coronavirus access pass will only return if it is an effective measure at the time, Minister Ernst Kuipers of Public Health said in response to demands from the ChristenUnie to remove the use of the access pass from the law. ChristenUnie parliamentarian Mirjam Bikker called keeping the coronavirus access pass in the "toolbox just in case" disproportionate at this …

As COVID curbs are lifted, experts call for clear messaging
2 years, 10 months ago

As COVID curbs are lifted, experts call for clear messaging

Al Jazeera  

The Netherlands, Germany, South Africa and the United Kingdom are among several countries which have announced plans to lift the majority of COVID restrictions, despite the continuing spread of the highly contagious Omicron coronavirus variant. The raft of announcements, including plans to scrap COVID self-isolation for those who test positive in England and an end to social distancing rules in …

Two-thirds of NL residents expect more lockdowns in the future
2 years, 10 months ago

Two-thirds of NL residents expect more lockdowns in the future

NL Times  

On Tuesday, Health Minister Ernst Kuipers announced that the Netherlands would relax most coronavirus restrictions from February 25. There will be more coronavirus lockdowns and restrictions in the future, they said in a Hart van Nederland survey of 3,760 of its panel members. Some worried respondents believe that the Netherlands will go back into lockdown when the relaxed measures result …

More support for Covid policy as relaxations loom
2 years, 10 months ago

More support for Covid policy as relaxations loom

NL Times  

With Health Minister Ernst Kuipers expected to announce relaxation of the coronavirus measures tonight, support for the government's approach to the pandemic is rising. 51 percent of Netherlands residents support the government's policy, compared to 45 percent a month ago, I&O Research found in a survey of over 2,300 adult Netherlands residents for broadcaster NOS. 85 percent of respondents want …

Dutch poised to lift most remaining coronavirus restrictions
2 years, 10 months ago

Dutch poised to lift most remaining coronavirus restrictions

Dutch News  

The government is almost certain to announce it is suspending all the coronavirus rules from February 25, apart from the basic hygiene regulations, broadcaster NOS said on Monday evening. Cabinet sources have told the broadcaster that ministers are prepared to go further than the recommendations made by the Outbreak Management Team which were sent to parliament by health minister Ernst …

Dutch poised to lift most remaining coronavirus restrictions
2 years, 10 months ago

Dutch poised to lift most remaining coronavirus restrictions

Dutch News  

The government is almost certain to announce it is suspending all the coronavirus rules from February 25, apart from the basic hygiene regulations, broadcaster NOS said on Monday evening. Cabinet sources have told the broadcaster that ministers are prepared to go further than the recommendations made by the Outbreak Management Team which were sent to parliament by health minister Ernst …

RIVM 'played down risk of coronavirus epidemic' in February 2020
2 years, 10 months ago

RIVM 'played down risk of coronavirus epidemic' in February 2020

Dutch News  

The Dutch public health agency RIVM was aware as early as February 2020 that a coronavirus outbreak could lead to more than 30,000 deaths, according to documents obtained by current affairs show Nieuwsuur. ^MS — RIVM February 17, 2020 On February 24, as the first infections were confirmed in Italy, van Dissel told Nieuwsuur that Dutch scientists were focusing on …

Netherlands not ready for another pandemic
2 years, 10 months ago

Netherlands not ready for another pandemic

NL Times  

The Netherlands is facing "major challenges for infectious disease control," the Capacity Body said in a recent report. Dozens of additional infection doctors must be trained as soon as possible if the Netherlands hopes to be ready for the next pandemic, the advisory council said, AD reports. According to the advisory council, the coronavirus pandemic "magnified preexisting bottlenecks in infectious …

Dutch Health Min. says it's possible all Covid rules will soon disappear
2 years, 10 months ago

Dutch Health Min. says it's possible all Covid rules will soon disappear

NL Times  

Health Minister Ernst Kuipers said that it is conceivable there will no longer be a need for coronavirus rules later this year. It is the intention that the closing times for many sectors including the hospitality industry could be extended to 1 a.m. Social distancing rules could also be eliminated at various locations, including stadiums and theaters, giving them an …

Dutch government planning to scrap coronavirus rules on February 25
2 years, 10 months ago

Dutch government planning to scrap coronavirus rules on February 25

Dutch News  

The government is preparing to scrap the last remaining coronavirus restrictions in the Netherlands at the end of the month, sources have told NOS. Prime minister Mark Rutte indicated this week that the cabinet was ‘cautiously optimistic’ about extending the closing time of 10pm at next week’s press conference, which could mean bars, restaurants and theatres are allowed to stay …

Cabinet unveils new coronavirus strategy, more emphasis on normal life
2 years, 10 months ago

Cabinet unveils new coronavirus strategy, more emphasis on normal life

Dutch News  

The new government’s strategy for dealing with coronavirus is based on keeping society functioning as normally as possible, health minister Ernst Kuipers has told MPs in a briefing. ‘The policy will no longer depend on the pressure on the healthcare system but on the wider perspective, from both the social and socio-economic side, as well as on care services,’ Kuipers …

Cabinet unveils new coronavirus strategy, more emphasis on normal life
2 years, 10 months ago

Cabinet unveils new coronavirus strategy, more emphasis on normal life

Dutch News  

The new government’s strategy for dealing with coronavirus is based on keeping society functioning as normally as possible, health minister Ernst Kuipers has told MPs in a briefing. ‘The policy will no longer depend on the pressure on the healthcare system but on the wider perspective, from both the social and socio-economic side, as well as on care services,’ Kuipers …

Sources: Netherlands could abolish most Covid rules at the beginning of March
2 years, 10 months ago

Sources: Netherlands could abolish most Covid rules at the beginning of March

NL Times  

The Cabinet hopes to be able to abolish most of the remaining corona measures by the beginning of March, including the use of face masks and the 1.5 meter social distancing rule, sources said. From February 25, nightlife locations, festivals and events without fixed seating may already be open to people who test negative for the coronavirus infection. These businesses …

Ministers meet to discuss relaxing coronavirus rules amid soaring cases
2 years, 11 months ago

Ministers meet to discuss relaxing coronavirus rules amid soaring cases

Dutch News  

Ministers and health experts are meeting at the prime minister’s official residence on Monday morning to decide what the next steps in dealing with the pandemic should be, ahead of Tuesday’s press conference. On Saturday the NRC said the government’s coronavirus advisory group, the Outbreak Management Team, is recommending opening cafes, bars, restaurants and the cultural sector again, albeit with …

Ministers meet to discuss relaxing coronavirus rules amid soaring cases
2 years, 11 months ago

Ministers meet to discuss relaxing coronavirus rules amid soaring cases

Dutch News  

Ministers and health experts are meeting at the prime minister’s official residence on Monday morning to decide what the next steps in dealing with the pandemic should be, ahead of Tuesday’s press conference. On Saturday the NRC said the government’s coronavirus advisory group, the Outbreak Management Team, is recommending opening cafes, bars, restaurants and the cultural sector again, albeit with …

Cabinet must get broad support for long-term Covid policy: parliament
2 years, 11 months ago

Cabinet must get broad support for long-term Covid policy: parliament

NL Times  

The lower house of the Dutch parliament urged the Cabinet to hold discussions with stakeholders from across society when creating the long-term approach to the coronavirus. She referred to a letter that the association of Dutch municipalities VNG sent earlier this week calling for a conversation about the "despondency" in society about the coronavirus. A majority in parliament also insisted …

Dutch Covid policy must change, mayors say in call for help
2 years, 11 months ago

Dutch Covid policy must change, mayors say in call for help

NL Times  

The mayors of about 30 cities asked the Cabinet to fundamentally revise the coronavirus policy in a cry for help. It puts too much pressure on citizens and local governments, mayors Femke Halsema and Paul Depla wrote in an opinion piece in the Volkskrant, partly on behalf of their colleagues. With so many citizens on the verge of drowning, the …

Health Minister: Lockdown unlikely to end next week; Press conference expected Jan. 14
2 years, 11 months ago

Health Minister: Lockdown unlikely to end next week; Press conference expected Jan. 14

NL Times  

Health Minister Hugo de Jonge told reporters gathered in The Hague that residents should not expect the current lockdown in the Netherlands to be significantly relaxed after January 14. "We must remain cautious," De Jonge said on Friday after his last meeting with the Council of Ministers as the country's public health minister. The steady decrease suddenly reversed course during …

Significant relaxation of hard lockdown unlikely next week: Outbreak team member
2 years, 11 months ago

Significant relaxation of hard lockdown unlikely next week: Outbreak team member

NL Times  

There is no clear evidence to support significantly relaxing the coronavirus measures in the Netherlands next week, said infectious disease expert and Outbreak Management Team member Marc Bonten on Nieuwsuur. Due to the Omicron variant, caution is still required, and people should "not hold out too much hope" that all lockdown measures will expire, he said. While it is clear …

Security Council chair backs call for better long-term Covid planning
3 years ago

Security Council chair backs call for better long-term Covid planning

NL Times  

The Dutch government must craft and implement a long-term strategy to deal with the coronavirus that assumes the virus will be endemic to society, said Hubert Bruls. "The new Cabinet must run from the podium immediately after the photo shoot, to first tackle the long-term strategy with the ministers most responsible," Bruls said in the interview. Because of that, he …

Covid press conference possible today to announce new measures with immediate effect
3 years ago

Covid press conference possible today to announce new measures with immediate effect

NL Times  

Prime Minister Mark Rutte and Health Minister Hugo de Jonge are expected to hold a press conference at 7 p.m. on Saturday to announce a new set of coronavirus measures which could take effect this weekend, sources close to the Cabinet told broadcaster NOS and newswire ANP. The press conference would follow an emergency online Cabinet meeting where ministers will …

Amsterdam mayor: New approach to pandemic needed; “Can’t stay in crisis mode for years”
3 years ago

Amsterdam mayor: New approach to pandemic needed; “Can’t stay in crisis mode for years”

NL Times  

The Netherlands must prepare for a life where people cope with the coronavirus, said Femke Halsema, the mayor of Amsterdam. We “cannot stay in crisis mode for years,” she said. We also have to create proposals for that to make certain that people have hope for the coming years, and have confidence in our future in Amsterdam, regardless of, and …

Outbreak advisors want to keep evening lockdown; Ministers meeting today
3 years ago

Outbreak advisors want to keep evening lockdown; Ministers meeting today

NL Times  

The Outbreak Management Team wants the Cabinet to maintain the current evening lockdown past December 18, according to RTL Nieuws. On Sunday, members of the Cabinet will speak with OMT members to discuss the coronavirus policy at the official residence of Prime Minister Mark Rutte, the Catshuis. Minister of Culture Ingrid van Engelshoven said on Friday, "there is no room …

Confidence in Dutch coronavirus strategy hits all time low
3 years ago

Confidence in Dutch coronavirus strategy hits all time low

Dutch News  

Support for the government’s strategy to deal with coronavirus is now at an all-time low, with just 16% of people positive about what ministers are doing, according to the latest survey by public health institute RIVM. Yet even though 39% were neutral about the approach and 46% negative, the pandemic rules, such as working from home and keeping your distance, …

Experts: pandemic exposes shortcomings in Dutch crisis management
3 years ago

Experts: pandemic exposes shortcomings in Dutch crisis management

Dutch News  

The Netherlands’ pandemic response has been hamstrung by its decentralised health network and slow decision making, experts have told AD. ‘Under the Dutch polder model it is very difficult to push through changes,’ he said. And then suddenly there’s a pandemic and a minster asking if they can set up extra intensive care beds.’ The first lockdown in March 2020 …

Experts: pandemic exposes shortcomings in Dutch crisis management
3 years ago

Experts: pandemic exposes shortcomings in Dutch crisis management

Dutch News  

The Netherlands’ pandemic response has been hamstrung by its decentralised health network and slow decision making, experts have told AD. ‘Under the Dutch polder model it is very difficult to push through changes,’ he said. And then suddenly there’s a pandemic and a minster asking if they can set up extra intensive care beds.’ The first lockdown in March 2020 …

New Dutch coronavirus restrictions take effect today
3 years ago

New Dutch coronavirus restrictions take effect today

NL Times  

The new coronavirus measures Prime Minister Mark Rutte and Health Minister Hugo de Jonge announced on Friday will come into effect today. Along with the previously mentioned restrictions, an evening lockdown will begin lasting at least three weeks to lower the rising number of coronavirus infections in the Netherlands. Children in primary schools groups Six, Seven, Eight, and secondary school …

Ministers gather to discuss new Covid restrictions after “worrying” OMT meeting
3 years, 1 month ago

Ministers gather to discuss new Covid restrictions after “worrying” OMT meeting

NL Times  

The Ministers involved in the Netherlands' coronavirus policy will meet in the Catshuis on Thursday to discuss further measures. The Outbreak Management Team had a "worrying" meeting on Wednesday evening, member and pediatrician Kiaroly Illy said in talk show Jinek after the meeting. Ernst Kuipers, OMT member and chairman of the national acute care network LNAZ, told Op1 that the …

Covid measures: Cabinet leaning towards 5 p.m. closing times but no decision yet
3 years, 1 month ago

Covid measures: Cabinet leaning towards 5 p.m. closing times but no decision yet

NL Times  

The Cabinet has an idea of ​​the direction it wants to take to address the weeks of record-breaking coronavirus infections. This called for hospitality businesses, non-essential shops, and cultural institutions to close every day between the hours of 5 p.m. and 5 a.m. During those consultations, caretaker Prime Minister Mark Rutte and Health Minister Hugo de Jonge voiced the strongest …

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