The outgoing cabinet wants to enable the controversial 2G system, to which only people who have been vaccinated or recovered, have access in the catering industry, the cultural sector, at events and non-essential services. This is stated in a bill that has been sent to the House of Representatives. The measure will not apply in shops and hardware stores.
The explanatory memorandum to the bill states that 2G may only be introduced in situations where 3G, to which people tested negative, also have access, does not offer any solace. It is very unlikely that the system will be implemented in theaters or contact professions such as the hairdresser. In education, no 2G admission ticket will be requested, nor will the system be used to gain access to the workplace.
To make 2G possible, the law had to be changed, and that proposal is now before the House of Representatives. It states that the system can only be used in places where there is a high risk of spreading the virus, such as places where people do not have a seat or where it is difficult to keep a distance. It can also only be applied if the infection rates are high, at the levels ‘worrying’ and ‘serious’. At the moment, the level ‘serious’ applies to the Netherlands.
Vaccination urge not a target
According to Minister De Jonge, who sent the proposal to the House, the law does not have the urge to vaccinate as its goal, but it can be a side effect. It is also examined each time whether 2G will apply to an entire sector, or whether there are also exceptions. The law will not apply at all to people who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons. They will still be able to access 2G locations “in a manner to be determined”.
In the view of the government, 2G is a means to protect unvaccinated people against infection. Because they are no longer allowed to go to locations where many people come together, they run less risk of an infection. And it is the unvaccinated who are currently putting a disproportionate burden on healthcare, as they are generally more at risk for a serious course of the disease.
If it is up to the outgoing cabinet, the 2G policy must be the follow-up to the measures that now apply, such as the mouth caps and closing the catering industry and shops earlier. The current package has had little effect for the time being, as it turned out today. Prime Minister Rutte and Minister De Jonge therefore called on everyone once again to abide by the rules, because otherwise stricter measures will come into play.
Still in the Chamber this week?
The cabinet actually wants the emergency law to be able to introduce 2G to be discussed by the House of Representatives this week, but it is highly questionable whether that will happen. Various parties believe that they cannot form a good judgment in such a short period of time. In addition, there are two other emergency bills that make it possible to make the 3G corona admission ticket mandatory in education and in the workplace.
Moreover, there is a lot of opposition to the 2G system in the House. The ChristenUnie, which is also co-negotiating a new cabinet, has objections in principle because, according to the party, it increases polarization in society. At the moment, only VVD and D66 have pledged support. If the House of Representatives nevertheless approves, the bill must also pass the Senate.
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