Demonstrators will discuss on Saturday, February 12, 2022, next to 20 trucks blocking the entrance to one of the government buildings in The Hague, the Netherlands, to protest the COVID-19 restrictions. Some of the events are inspired by Canadian protesters. (AP Photo / Peter Dejon)
The Hague, The Netherlands (AP) — The Dutch government announced on Tuesday that it would abolish virtually all remaining coronavirus restrictions by the end of the month as infection rates begin to decline and pressure on medical services is eased.
“The country is reopening,” said Health Minister Ernst Kuipers.
The Netherlands is chasing neighboring Belgium and other European countries to ease regulations as the continent is increasingly seeking ways to co-exist with the virus without the economic and social damage caused by the blockade. increase.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Dutch National Institute of Public Health said in a weekly update that new COVID-19 cases had decreased by 22% and ICU hospitalizations had decreased by 28% over the past seven days.
“It seems to be at or above the peak,” says Kuipers.
At the end of last year, the government imposed some of Europe’s toughest blockades, amid concerns that a surge in infections caused by Omicron variants could overwhelm hospitals. However, while the number of cases surged, access to intensive care units decreased, and authorities were able to relax restrictions that forced bars and restaurants to close during the profitable Christmas holiday season. ..
Hospitality and other public places are open for a few weeks with limited time. The nightclub remains closed, causing anger between the owner and the clubber.
Blockade and vaccination campaigns have caused anger and resentment in a small part of society, causing regular protests, some of which have turned into violence.
Kuipers said the restrictions will be relaxed in three steps.
The government took immediate effect, quitting the advice to always work from home and urging people to work from home for half the time instead. We have also abolished the advice to limit the number of visitors a person can enter into a house to four per day.
Starting Friday, bars, restaurants, theaters, cinemas and other public places can remain open until 1am instead of closing at the current 10pm. Walk around.
After a week, pre-pandemic opening hours will apply to all public venues, eliminating the need for a COVID-19 heel pass to access the venue. Except for wearing masks on public transport and airports, social distance and mask obligations are abolished.
Mr Kaipers said the country’s current pandemic situation means that such measures are no longer necessary.
“Corona cast a shadow on our lives. Corona made us lonely. Corona sometimes brought about a deep division between us,” he said. “Fortunately, we are at another stage now.”
The Netherlands has reported more than 21,900 COVID-19 deaths in a pandemic.
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The Dutch government will phase out virus restrictions as incidents diminish | WGN Radio 720
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