According to Minister Hugo de Jonge (Public Health), students are responsible for a third of all coronavirus infections in the Netherlands. However, the minister does not see the students as a “driving force behind the spread of the virus”.
The Outbreak Management Team (OMT) has drawn up a recommendation for all schools in the Netherlands that will reopen in the near future. A number of measures are essential for the prevention of new COVID-19 outbreaks, according to the OMT.
According to De Jonge, despite the increasing number of infections, the advice is still safe, provided certain measures are observed. For example, pupils and teachers must keep their distance from each other. When a teacher or student has complaints that are consistent with a corona infection, he or she must stay at home. “No exceptions,” said the minister.
According to De Jonge, the situation among young people and teachers will be closely monitored in the coming period. The current OMT advice will remain in force. “If the distribution does take place at a school, it is up to the GGD to tackle it,” said De Jonge.
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