The current corona measures in the Netherlands will be extended until January 14, Prime Minister Mark Rutte announced. He called the decision “inevitable”.
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jvhSource: BELGIAN
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According to Rutte, the peak of the current wave seems to have passed, but the new omikron variant is worrying the government, while it creates a lot of uncertainty. The number of infections is still very high, Rutte emphasized. The hospitals are also still full of corona patients. As a result, regular care has to be postponed. “The most important message is that the package of measures must be extended,” said Rutte, who said that as long as there are many corona patients in hospitals, this is inevitable.
It has now also been decided that primary schools will close next week, no later than Tuesday, to reduce the number of corona infections. But children do not have to receive online lessons during that week. Schools must arrange care for vulnerable children and children of parents with a crucial profession. The after-school care will also close next week.
Due to the concerns about the new variant, there may be a “weighing moment” earlier than January 14′, the head of government warned. Due to the unpredictability of the omikron variant, there may be a new weighing moment as early as next week.
Boosterprik
Because of the omikron variant, every person over 18 will be offered a booster by the second half of January at the latest, said health minister Hugo de Jonge. The injection comes after three months instead of after six months after the last vaccination or corona infection. In total, this concerns 8.5 million adults who are still eligible for a booster.
The Dutch government will extend the financial support packages for entrepreneurs, companies, cultural institutions and sports organizations until the first quarter of 2022. This extension applies to the support for the events sector until the third quarter.
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