Has the government already made decisions?
No, it’s not that far yet. In the corona consultation on Wednesday, the measures were inventoried and it was assessed how realistic and feasible each measure is. That package is now being presented to the experts of the OMT.
But what measures are on the table?
First of all, the cabinet wants to announce a number of recommendations again: the work-at-home advice, the stay-home advice and the keep-distance advice. Such advice can be implemented immediately, without legislation. In addition, the cabinet can announce regional or national measures, for example, a mouth cap obligation or the real reintroduction of the one and a half meter rule.
The cabinet is also studying an extension of the corona admission ticket, but such legislation will certainly take a few weeks. Finally, Minister De Jonge has already alluded a few times to more restrictions for unvaccinated people, for example the German approach: in certain parts of Germany the so-called 2G approach applies: either you are vaccinated or cured. If someone is tested, you will no longer receive a corona pass.
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How is the discussion in the cabinet going?
The real discussion will be held on Friday morning in the Catshuis. Not all ministers were present at the past ministerial meetings, because of the formation or other obligations. If few ministers are present, few decisions are taken.
Will we get regional measures? Or a national approach?
It can also be a combination of national advice and regional measures. The cabinet wants to do this as specifically as possible, but are the municipalities prepared to take local measures? It is expected that contact will be sought with the mayors of the three major cities, Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague. These are municipalities where you could introduce a regional mouth cap obligation. If that does not work, a national mouth cap obligation is on the table.
And the German 2G approach, that you do not get a corona pass with testing?
That would be a far-reaching curtailment for unvaccinated people. The Ministry of Health is said to be in favour, but such a measure is met with resistance in the House. It is expected that the cabinet will keep the measure as a threat, but that it is now politically too controversial.
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Does the extension of the corona admission ticket stand a chance?
Of course. The cabinet is considering making it possible for employers to ask for a corona admission ticket. This is now prohibited by law, but that may be changed: an employer may require a corona admission ticket. Such an amendment to the law will take at least four weeks. The corona pass could also apply in higher education. A student then has to show a corona admission ticket, but there are doubts about that step: it may conflict with the freedom of education.
What exactly does the government ask of the OMT?
Which advice and which targeted measures have the most effect? Are these regional measures or national measures? And how does an extension of the corona ticket help in the fight against the virus? You see the political struggle, but the discussion about the decisions has yet to be really had. Thursday by the OMT, Friday in the Catshuis, Monday is the consultation with the mayors of the Security Council and Tuesday is the cabinet meeting, where the final decisions are made.
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