The cabinet of Mark Rutte has only just been installed, or it had to intervene immediately against the threatening omikron variant. These are the measures.
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It was no festive message that Prime Minister Mark Rutte had to bring: the Netherlands is going into lockdown again. The cabinet is following the advice of the Outbreak Management Team (OMT). He is seriously concerned about the advancing omikron variant and wants to buy time against its spread. These are the measures:
• Essential stores remain open: supermarkets, drugstores, opticians and hearing care professionals, pharmacies. Essential service providers, such as the library and town hall, will also remain open.
• Non-essential stores will remain closed until at least January 14. They may organize a pick-up service.
• The same applies to catering and cultural activities. Restaurants may offer takeaway.
• A decision will be made on 3 January whether schools can reopen after the Christmas holidays.
• You may receive two visitors at home (except: children younger than 13). On Christmas and New Years you can exceptionally receive four.
• You can gather outside with a maximum of two people. The same exceptions apply here as above.
• Going on holiday abroad is allowed.
• Outdoor sports venues are open from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. Adults are allowed a maximum of two sports and from a distance. Children can play games with each other. Indoor sports is closed.
By January 7, all over 18s should have had the opportunity to make an appointment for the booster shot. Per 100 inhabitants in the Netherlands, 8.6 people received a booster shot. In Belgium that is 26.2. Our country also has a higher capacity for intensive care per capita.
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