Infections must be reduced, appropriate measures needed | News item

The number of infections has risen sharply in recent weeks. More and more people are being hospitalized. The number of corona patients in the ICUs is now rising and, according to the calculations, could rise even further. RIVM expects a peak of 500 Covid patients in the ICU this winter. To ensure that we can continue to provide good care for everyone and protect the vulnerable in society against the increased presence of the coronavirus, the cabinet is taking extra measures to slow down the rapid spread of the virus. The government also wants to keep society as open as possible and as safe as possible. These measures are in addition to the rules that already apply, such as the closing times for the catering industry and the maximum number of 75 percent visitors for events without a seat.

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More attention to the basic rules

First of all, it is very important that everyone continues to follow the basic rules, whether or not you are vaccinated. The better we do this together, the less the virus can spread and the less restrictive measures will be needed. The basic rules demonstrably help to prevent contamination.

The basic rules are understood to mean:

• Testing in case of complaints: stay at home and have yourself tested at the GGD. Even if you have already been vaccinated.
• If the test is positive: stay at home and avoid contact with others, even if they have been vaccinated.
• 1.5 meters is a safe distance. Protect yourself and others.
• Don’t shake hands.
• Wash your hands often and thoroughly.
• Cough and sneeze into your elbow.
• Provide sufficient fresh air and ventilation in indoor areas.

Working from home and advice for the road

From 3 November, the applicable home working advice will be tightened to ‘work at home for at least half of the working time’. We know that working from home is an efficient way to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. It helps to reduce the number of contact moments.

The appeal applies to people who do have to go to work or who go out in their free time: avoid crowds on the road and travel outside rush hour as much as possible.

Mondkapjesplicht

As of November 6, the mouth cap obligation will apply again at more locations. Face masks are again mandatory in all public locations inside where no corona tickets are used. This applies, among other things, to:

• In all publicly accessible buildings within and covered areas where no corona ticket is used, such as:
  • Supermarkets, shops, libraries, game locations, amusement parks.
• Public transport, in stations, including shops at the station, on platforms and at tram and bus stops.
• At airports and on airplanes.
• When moving in MBO schools, colleges and universities. If you sit, the mouth cap can be taken off.
• In the performance of contact professions, where necessary, this applies to both customer and service provider.

Wearing a face mask is mandatory in these places. You risk a fine of 95 euros if you do not wear a mouth cap.

Broadening the use of the corona admission ticket

From November 6, the corona ticket will be valid in more places. The use of a corona ticket reduces the chance that the virus can circulate here. By only admitting people who have recovered, vaccinated or tested, the risk of infection is significantly reduced for all visitors. The corona ticket does not exclude the risk of contamination. It ensures that everyone can come together as safely as possible. In addition, the use of the corona admission ticket contributes to keeping most locations open at maximum capacity.

It is important that at every location where a corona ticket is valid, it is scanned and the ID is checked and that everyone who visits such a location shows the personal QR code and a valid ID.

The corona ticket is mandatory from 6 November for:

• Catering, both indoors and on outdoor terraces (food and beverage outlets), except for takeout.
• Casino’s.
• Cultural venues such as theatres, concert halls and cinemas;
• Transfer locations in sectors where the corona admission ticket is already mandatory. These are therefore locations where there is a flow of visitors, such as museums and monuments.
• Transfer events. These are events where the public has no fixed place and there is a flow of people. For example, fairs and certain sporting events.
• Events with and without a fixed seat, such as festivals, parties and performances.
• Business events, such as trade fairs and conferences.
• Audience at sports competitions, both professional and amateur. Youth up to the age of 18 is excluded from the audience of amateur competitions.
• Organized sports practice from 18 years, such as: gym, group lessons, football, swimming. This applies to athletes and the public in all indoor and outdoor sports locations, including sports canteens.
• Organized art & culture practice from 18 years, such as: music lessons and painting lessons. Or, for example, rehearsals for singing, dance and drama.

Organized youth activities for children up to the age of 18 are excluded from the use of the corona admission ticket.

You will receive a corona ticket if you are fully vaccinated, have a recovery certificate or with a negative test result of a maximum of 24 hours old. Testing remains free for people who do not have a recovery or vaccination certificate.

With the Coronacheck app, everyone can pick up the corona admission ticket. It is also possible to show a corona admission ticket on paper. The CoronaCheck Scanner app is available for the catering industry and organizers of events, sports and cultural activities, which makes it easy to check corona tickets.

Boostervaccinatie

The booster vaccination will start in December for all people aged 80 and over who can come to a GGD location. A booster will also be offered to all adult residents over the age of 18 who live in a care institution with its own medical service. This means that these people can receive an extra vaccination on top of the two vaccinations they received earlier (or after one shot with the Janssen vaccine), as extra protection against serious illness and hospital admissions. From January onwards, people between the ages of 60 and 80 are vaccinated, with the oldest of that group being the first to receive an invitation. Next month, a booster will also be offered to healthcare employees with direct patient contact.

Looking ahead

The government is preparing other measures that we may need in the near future if we do not reverse the trend. Where visitors are already asked for a corona admission ticket, for example in the catering industry, the cabinet wants the employer to also ask its employees for a corona admission ticket. In addition, we also want to make it possible for employers in other sectors to opt for corona admission tickets. This possibility must therefore be offered for care. Both for employees and visitors. And finally, the cabinet wants to be able to introduce the corona admission ticket in other places where many people come together every day. Like in non-essential retail. But also in zoos and amusement parks. These measures should be able to be used specifically in villages and towns with low vaccination coverage and where the number of infections and hospitalizations is high.

These measures are being prepared. In coordination with, for example, employers and employees. And it requires parliamentary approval. The situation will be reassessed on 12 November on the basis of an OMT advice.

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