Three years after it started, the Outbreak Management Team (OMT) declares the corona pandemic closed – at least for now. What exactly does that mean?
What does the OMT recommend again?
Large-scale testing for corona is no longer necessary, says the Outbreak Management Team (OMT) in its latest advice. Test lanes of the GGD can be scaled down, the team of experts believes that the cabinet gives advice on how to deal with the pandemic. In addition, as far as the OMT is concerned, self-testing can be stopped in case of respiratory complaints. It is therefore no longer necessary to provide test kits to schools and groups such as minimum wage earners and informal carers. If you no longer have to test, home isolation can also be stopped if you have corona. At the moment, the official advice is to stay indoors for five days if the test is positive.
Why now all of a sudden?
It is exactly three years ago this week that the first official corona infection was detected in the Netherlands. But that birthday is no reason for the OMT to declare the pandemic closed. This is due to the greatly reduced danger that still emanates from the virus. Due to the high degree of defense in society – due to vaccination and past infections – and because omikron and subvariants are less pathogenic, we are according to the OMT, has entered the endemic phase. This means that the virus is dormant in society, just like the flu, for example, and that there is no longer an all-influencing pandemic.
What does this mean for me?
Officially nothing yet, because only for now for advice from the OMT to the cabinet. In practice, dealing with the virus has become much less tense in recent months. Test lanes of the GGDs have been stripped to a great extent and partly closed. They are alone open to groups such as residents of nursing homes and healthcare workers. Everyone else can do a self-test in case of complaints. But that advice is no longer followed as well as before.
Is there no longer a blow to the arm anywhere?
Anyway. The OMT wants GGDs to be able to scale up with test locations in case the situation deteriorates again. For example, if a new variant emerges that is unexpectedly more pathogenic. Furthermore, the general advice about washing hands, sneezing in your elbow and staying home if you are sick will continue to apply. As far as the OMT is concerned, the face mask is no longer necessary, but it can still be wise for healthcare workers and informal caregivers who work with vulnerable patients.
When will the rules really change?
The OMT advice lies with Health Minister Ernst Kuipers. It is not yet clear when he will make a decision. It goes without saying that it will be in line with what the OMT has in mind.
