According to the Red Team, the government is trying to find a balance between “an open society and minimizing health damage” with the current corona strategy, but that is almost impossible. “The risk is that the Netherlands will fall victim to a yo-yo effect of acquiring and surrendering liberties, with recurring lockdowns as the low point,” the scientists state in their advice.
The cabinet should focus on effective containment of the corona virus, following the example of neighboring countries that prove successful in this, such as Denmark and Germany, according to the team. This means that there is a better insight into how the virus spreads, for example during an outbreak. According to the scientists, the test capacity and the source and contact research that follows an infection must be in order for this.
For example, anyone who wants to have themselves tested, would ideally be able to do so the same day at a test street in the area. To achieve this, more test locations must be added. The team also recommends offering people who are less mobile the option to undergo a home test.
Close schools
Against RTL Nieuws, Red Team member Wim Schellekens mentions closing schools for two weeks as a temporary measure. Also, only shops that ‘provide for necessities’ should remain open, such as pharmacies and supermarkets, and the team recommends that everyone entering the Netherlands undergo a test.
The team would like to see the cabinet take up the proposed measures as soon as possible, says Schellekens. “If we wait until next week to take stricter measures, we will be too late again,” said Schellekens. “We have now been on the road for about ten days in risk level 4 with the associated measures. But we do not see that the infections decrease significantly, on the contrary. This is taking too long. ”
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