Rutte: go further for faster decline than last March | Inland

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The measures would have “enormous social consequences” and should apply for more than a few weeks, Prime Minister Mark Rutte warned on Wednesday in a debate with the Lower House.

Many parties in the House wanted to know from Rutte whether they would not wait too long with any new interventions. The cabinet wants to wait a few more days to see if the partial lockdown of October 13 has effect. PvdA leader Lodewijk Asscher has the idea as if the cabinet wants to reduce the figures “as slowly as possible”. Isn’t it much better to intervene quickly and hard, he asked.

Rutte does not rule out that new measures will be taken next week if the number of infections does not decrease. But according to the prime minister, there is “no indication” that the package from two weeks ago has insufficient effect. “If it turns out in the coming days, we will deliver immediately. Everything is ready to do more, I guarantee that. ”

“In general,” he would say that “if you want to accelerate the braking distance, you will come to measures that probably go further than in March.” If there is no reversal in the coming days, further measures will also be taken, but they will then be more in line with March, according to the prime minister.

Effect

It is still too early to measure the effect of the new measures, said Rutte during a short press conference on Tuesday evening. Nevertheless, health care minister De Jonge announced that the measures will remain in force from 13 October until at least December.

State Secretary Mona Keijzer did not make the message any easier by stating late at night on TV that extension of the measures, including closing the catering industry, is by no means certain.

Coalition MP Van Weyenberg of D66 criticized the cabinet’s communication. “If it is true that the measures are extended, it will be put down in an uncompromising way.” He wants to know clearly from the cabinet whether or not the catering industry should close until December.

GL leader Klaver supports the extension of the measures. “But don’t put that between nose and lips. It’s an enormous announcement. ” It doesn’t help that Keijzer again undercut the message at Op1. “One of the most important instruments available to the cabinet is crystal-clear communication.”

Slap in the face

Of course we must adhere to the measures, says SP leader Marijnissen, “But the cabinet is also failing.” The socialist points out that the basis, the testing policy and the source and contact research, is not in order. PvdA leader Asscher agrees: “I find it indecent to say something at a press conference that was not allowed to be called press conferences that you could already know three weeks ago: that we have to live with limitations for the time being.” Member of Parliament Azarkan wonders why the cabinet is extending measures while the contamination figures do not yet provide any guidance. His judgment is a slap in the face of entrepreneurs who are insecure.

There is also confusion about what De Jonge announced during the ‘press moment’ about the reproduction number, the degree of contamination. The CDA minister said on Tuesday that according to estimates by the RIVM, it is 0.88, which means that the number of infections has decreased. RIVM director Jaap van Dissel was unable to confirm this in the Chamber on Wednesday morning. “I think hope is the father of the thought.” Reason for Asscher to scoff: “Hope the father of the thought, but hope is not a strategy.”

The measures took effect almost two weeks ago. According to the prime minister, the picture of the last few days is ‘not unfavorable’, although the figures still offer ‘insufficient guidance’. “If it is the case that the decrease is not there, then we have to take extra measures anyway,” says Rutte. “There is a reasonable chance that the current package will work.” But even then, it will take until December before the care is aired, with less than 40 hospital admissions per day. Now there are 200. However, the decision to extend the measures has not yet been taken.

In the House there was a call for stricter action. Marijnissen (SP) and Asscher (PvdA), among others, argued for ‘quick and hard’ intervention. Rutte has his doubts about this. “It’s not that simple. If you want a shorter braking distance, we will really have to resort to a lot of draconian measures and they will have to continue for many weeks. ” The prime minister explicitly mentions the “social and psychological consequences” of lockdown-like measures.

Care salaries

During the debate it is also about health care salaries. PVV leader Wilders threatens to file a motion of no confidence if the cabinet does not make clear how it will increase health care salaries.

On Tuesday, the Lower House adopted a proposal by a narrow majority calling on the cabinet to increase healthcare salaries even more. However, the cabinet points out that salaries are already going up considerably and that the appeal from the House is not successful. “Finally the motion was passed, without even anyone running away,” says Wilders. “Healthcare providers happy. And then they are told: it will not take place. ” “An insult to parliament, an insult to democracy and a slap in the face of all heroes of care.” SP leader Lilian Marijnissen agrees. “This is unacceptable. The cabinet will not get away with this. ”

During his answer, Prime Minister Rutte indicates that during the current cabinet period 6 billion euros will already be spent on health care salaries. “An adopted motion is very relevant, but does not automatically mean that it will be passed,” said Rutte. “The cabinet must also be able to relate to the motion text.”

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