Incidentally, the one and a half meter rule sometimes seems to have been deleted in practice. Dijkstra sees this all around him in shops, on the street and in public transport. Just like the Flemish virologist Marc van Ranst across the border. “This rule has imploded. Where some people used to keep their distance almost religiously, you now notice that everyone is coming closer together.”
Risks
No relaxation is without risk, Rutte emphasized at the press conference. This also applies to the intention to delete the distance rule from September 20, if everything goes well. And from then on to withdraw the mask obligation, which still applies in public transport, for example.
“I think that combination is a risk in public transport,” says Van Ranst. According to him, ventilation and air conditioning are sufficiently in order on new trains and buses. But for long distances in older buses without an adequate supply of fresh air, there is a higher chance of contamination. Especially if passengers will soon not have to wear a mouth cap or keep their distance.
Wise?
People in risk groups in particular will not be in favor of this, because they run a greater risk of serious illness after infection. Nevertheless, the virologist understands the cabinet’s considerations. As long as the final verdict depends on the circumstances, such as hospital occupancy, infection rates and especially the vaccination rate.
Van Ranst: “You don’t know what will happen in the autumn, but there will come a moment when politicians say: we are going to officially stop with these basic rules. Whether it is wise to do that now, you can take an unbelievably long time. discuss.”
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