‘Cabinet is working on tightening up, hopes to prevent lockdown’ | Inland

Now that it is no longer possible to test everyone and tracing sources of infection via the GGDs is practically no longer feasible, the controlled extinction of the virus is no longer possible. On Tuesday, the cabinet seems to be going for an approach that fits in with the next phase: prevent the virus from spreading even further to ensure that medical care is not overwhelmed.

Less movements

Insiders report that the cabinet is therefore mainly looking at reducing movements. By restricting trips and further reducing the maximum group size, the chance that someone will contract the virus is less. In order to reduce crowds and contacts, the cabinet is looking at tightening up the measures.

On Sunday, Prime Minister Mark Rutte discussed the possible options with several ministers and RIVM boss Jaap van Dissel in the Catshuis. No decisions have yet been taken. First there must be an advice from the Outbreak Management Team. This club of medical experts that has been assisting the cabinet throughout the corona crisis will issue an advice on Monday.

Prevent lockdown

In any case, there are several knobs to turn. For example, closure of (certain) catering establishments and perhaps an obligation to mask. The cabinet wants to prevent a new lockdown for as long as possible.

There is much more discussion about the nature of the measures compared to the spring. Even within the cabinet there is a call for more customization and an eye for socio-economic consequences. Moreover, the question is whether the effect of the previous series of measures can be seen so quickly.

Jealousy

Moreover, the House of Representatives wants more perspective for the future. During corona debates, Ireland is often viewed with jealousy. The Dublin government has designed a schedule that allows everyone to see what measures will follow if the virus becomes more intense.

The Netherlands does not yet have such a step-by-step plan, but in Catshuis there was talk on Sunday about how to deal with corona in the coming months. It is now clear that after this second wave, the virus must be kept under control for months.

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