Lockdown to minimize contact between people | News report

News | 14-12-2020 | 19:00

read Dutch News “Lockdown to keep contacts to a minimum”.

Museums, theatres, amusement parks, zoos, casinos, saunas, indoor sports venues and places offering catering (including hotels) will be closed during this period. Stores such as clothing stores, shoe stores, jewellery stores and craft stores will also be closed. The government’s goal in this regard is to reduce contact between people as much as possible. Supermarkets, bakeries, butchers and other stores selling food can remain open, as can places such as pharmacies, drug stores and petrol stations. People working in non-medical contact occupations (including barbers, manicurists and tattoo artists) cannot continue to work. Only people working in medical and paramedical contact occupations can continue to work.

Primary schools, secondary schools, secondary vocational education schools (MBOs) and higher education institutions (universities and HBOs) will teach online to reduce face-to-face contact. They may make exceptions for students taking exams and midterms this academic year, as well as internships and supporting vulnerable students and students. Childcare centers will also be closed. Primary schools and childcare centers will remain open to children whose parents work in key industries. In order to allow enough time to prepare, the measures for schools, educational institutions and childcare centers will be implemented from Wednesday, December 16. These measures will last until Sunday, January 17.

stay at home

Stay at home as much as possible, including during the festive period. We know this is an effective way to reduce infection rates. Contact with fewer people reduces the risk of infection and makes it harder for the coronavirus to spread.

Therefore, people should continue to work from home unless absolutely necessary. The government has also advised people not to receive more than 2 people aged 13 or over in their homes per day. The exception is December 24, 25 and 26: on these days you can receive up to 3 people, excluding children under 13. Outdoors, including over the festive period, you can receive up to 2 people. Do not travel or book any trips until mid-March unless absolutely necessary. Adults can exercise alone or with one other person, and only outdoors, keeping a distance of 1.5 metres from each other. Children aged 17 and under can play team sports, including playing against a team within their own club, but only outdoors.

The basic rules remain the same. Everyone must keep 1.5 metres away from people they don’t live with. Wash your hands often, including when you arrive somewhere and before eating. If you have symptoms, no matter how mild, stay home and get tested. Don’t go out and don’t have visitors. If you are infected, ask someone else to do your shopping and errands for you.

We must strictly follow the rules. That way, we can work together to ensure that the lockdown ends as soon as possible. On January 12, the government will assess what measures are still needed to combat the spread of the virus after January 19.

Elasticity

In the coming weeks, we will once again have to be resilient, as was the case earlier this year. The lockdown has had a major impact on society and the economy. That is why the Government has set out a comprehensive recovery and support package for businesses and employees. It is designed to respond to changing needs. Increased turnover losses will trigger additional support.

Now more than ever, we need to take care of each other, as these measures will have a profound impact on all of us. But surveys show that these measures are supported by a majority of people. As we did this spring, despite these measures, we will continue to strive to take care of those around us, even if we have to do so remotely or digitally.

Overview of measures

From Tuesday 15 December to 19 January inclusive:

• You can only go out alone, with family members or in groups of no more than 2 people.
• You may have up to 2 visitors per day who are aged 13 or over.
• Many locations will be closed:
  • Shops (except those selling essential items such as food)
  • Places where sexual contact is performed, such as barber shops, nail salons, and sex establishments
  • Theaters, concert halls, cinemas, casinos, etc.
  • Zoos, amusement parks, etc.
  • Indoor sports venues such as gyms, swimming pools, saunas, spas, etc.
  • Restaurants, bars and cafes
• The hotel will be open, but the hotel restaurant will be closed and room service will not be available.
• Working from home is highly recommended.
• Adults can participate in sports activities alone or with one other person, but only outdoors. Children aged 17 and under can participate in team sports and compete with children from the same club, but only outdoors.
• Public transport is only used for essential travel.
• Do not book any foreign travel, and do not travel abroad, until mid-March at the earliest.
• The only contact occupations that can continue are those of a medical and paramedical nature.

From 16 December until at least 17 January, educational institutions will mainly offer remote teaching. In secondary education, the following activities can continue to take place on site: practical training, lessons for students who will take exams, and school exams from the final exam year or the previous year. Examinations, mid-term exams and practical training in secondary vocational education (MBO), higher vocational education (HBO) and university education (WO) can continue. In all forms of education, exceptions can be made to support vulnerable students. During this period, nurseries and after-school care will be closed.

parents Working in key sectorsThe service will be provided in primary schools or in settings that provide childcare or out-of-school care.

There are some exceptions to the above measures:

• On December 24, 25 and 26, you can have up to 3 visitors in your home who are 13 years or older.
• Healthcare must remain as accessible as possible. Medical and health care workers can continue to work.
• Shops that primarily sell food, chemists, pharmacies, opticians, hearing specialists and shops that carry out repairs and maintenance can remain open. DIY shops can operate on a click and collect basis.
• Service points for sending and receiving packages will remain open.
• Businesses that provide commercial services (banks, mortgage lenders and real estate agencies) will remain open. City halls will remain open to provide services to the public. Courts and other government agencies will remain open.
• Books can still be borrowed from the library.
• Community centres will remain open to provide services to vulnerable groups.
• Elite athletes from top competitions can train and compete.