ANP extension
ANNOUNCEMENTS•
Corona is no longer the talk of the day, but it is in the House of Representatives today. MPs discuss with Health Minister Ernst Kuipers on his proposal for a final “corona law”. The proposal does not (only) concern the corona, but all future pandemics.
The government is introducing an amendment to the Public Health Act so that there is a permanent basis for restrictive measures in the event of an outbreak of an infectious disease. During the corona pandemic, the cabinet has always worked with temporary laws, but they have been in force since this spring off work.
Among other things, the proposal provides for the obligation to quarantine, test and mask. The proposal also regulates the maintenance of distances and the closure of public places. The curfew, the corona entrance fee and the authority to close schools, among other things, are not included.
Period of time
There is much discussion about the bill, not least because parliament has limited influence on the introduction of measures during a crisis. GroenLinks and PvdA therefore propose adding a term to the law.
The two parties believe that authorization should be requested from parliament every eight weeks in case of major interventions in people’s freedoms. “Sometimes far-reaching measures were taken 78 times on the basis of an emergency procedure,” says GroenLinks MP Westerveld about the corona period. “This has to change.”
The House of Representatives is debating the bill all day today. The State Council mentioned the draft of the new crown law Before a “necessary first step” to better regulate the fight against an epidemic by law.
