Alert phase raised: Randstad cafes closed sooner, smaller groups | Inland

The other 19 security regions remain on ‘vigilant’. The highest alert phase, ‘serious’, has not yet occurred in any region. The measures that will be announced for the six regions on Friday, will also apply in regions as soon as the infections there exceed certain values.

The number of corona infections is mainly increasing in Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague. The spread can be traced back to the catering industry and parties in a domestic environment, especially among young people.

In addition to young people and students, there also seems to be a problem with banquet halls, where guests at weddings and parties sit close together. Since July, there is no longer a limit to the size of groups in the catering industry, as long as a few conditions are met, such as keeping a distance of 1.5 meters. Guests must also have permanent seats. In catering areas where people rotate, a maximum of 100 now applies.

The mayors of these risk regions will adjust this maximum number downwards, insiders report. In the domestic circle, the urgent advice is not to receive more than six guests, but that remains an advice.

The mayors take separate measures for infections among students. For example, the administrators seek cooperation with universities and student associations to help them better comply with the corona measures. Special supervisors are appointed, a kind of stewards.

Closing time

In addition to reducing the group size, the directors involved will bring forward the closing times of the catering industry, reportedly to a maximum of midnight. Campaigns are also being set up aimed at young people and migrant groups who seem to miss messages about keeping their distance. The measures that mayors take on Friday serve as a blueprint for other regions where the coronavirus is rapidly spreading.

Consultations between the cabinet and the mayors responsible for the six risk regions are still ongoing. Minister Grapperhaus (Justice and Security) has also joined the digital meeting. Next week, the House of Representatives will again debate with Prime Minister Rutte and care ministers De Jonge and Tamara van Ark about the increasing infections, the long waiting times at the test streets and the measures that are forthcoming.

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