Now that the cabinet has announced a relaxation of the corona measures, there is a chance that the number of infections will increase again. But Rietveld does not expect it to run that fast. ‘The number of infected cases is relatively low in Groningen. In addition, summer is coming. We expect a relatively low number of complaints in the coming months. I don’t worry that much. “
Detect and isolate
If the virus rears its head in the autumn, then his organization is prepared for it, says Rietveld. The tests are carried out in collaboration with the UMCG and Certe. Certe indicates that he has sufficient capacity to test everyone with complaints.
For the GGD, most of the time is spent on identifying the source of infection and isolating infected people. Rietveld: ‘We can handle that too. We were able to free up extra people in the organization, because other business processes have come to a standstill, such as vaccinating people who go on holiday abroad. ‘
Mouth masks
What does he think of the discussion about the use of face masks in public transport? “It can provide a sense of protection, which is a psychological effect. But the question is whether it is sufficient. We don’t have to decide, it’s a political decision. ”
Rietveld gave his explanation after a press conference of the Groningen Safety Region. At the same press conference, Koen Schuiling, Mayor of Groningen and also chairman of the security region, announced that the three northern security regions would better coordinate their corona policy: “It is better to give the same answer to the same question instead of three different ones.”
Clear rules
About the announced relaxation of the measures, Schuiling says: “Of course there are concerns, but it is not without reason that the cabinet says that the brakes will be applied when the number of infections increases again.”
Schuiling also does not immediately seem to assume the worst. But when it comes to the reopening of the catering industry, he leaves no room for misunderstanding: ‘The agreements are clear. A maximum of thirty people on a terrace, with sufficient distance between them. The responsibility lies with the entrepreneurs. But we will certainly check on that. “
Major events
The cabinet announced on Thursday that major events are not on the agenda for the time being, until a vaccine against the coronavirus is available. When asked what this means for, for example, the (international) music festival Eurosonic / Noorderslag, which takes place every January in Groningen, Schuiling does not provide a direct answer. But he does say, “If I planned to host a major event, I wouldn’t be putting too much preparation into it right now.”
Also read:
– These are the relaxed corona measures in the coming months
– Everything about the corona virus
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