Photo: REMKO DE WAAL / AFP / Getty Images
For: EFE
Friday, November 15
Due to Omicron threat, the Netherlands extends night confinement and advances school holidays
The Dutch Government announced that the current “night lockdown”, whereby all non-essential activity closes at the 17: 00 hours, will be extended until 14 from January, and the closure of Primary schools for holidays due to the threat of the Omicron variant will be brought forward one week.
Acting Prime Minister Mark Rutte pointed out at a press conference that the extension of the current restrictions is “inevitable” during Christmas and the two weeks after the new year, so anyone who offers a non-essential service, including hospitality, shops and gyms, must close from 17: 00 hours at 5: 00 hours.
In addition, the maximum number of guests in a house is limited to four people over 13 years per day, and no exceptions will apply to this rule for Christmas or New Year’s Eve family gatherings.
The Primary schools will bring forward the Christmas holidays, so they will close from next Monday, and will not reopen their doors until 10 from January, although they will not be obliged to offer virtual education to children during that time.
Together In addition to these restrictions, the mandatory use of the covid pass is also maintained in the restaurant industry, theaters, concert halls, museums, gyms and cinemas, although this document continues to include people who are not vaccinated but test negative on a test. t, in addition to those vaccinated and recovered from covid – 21
Rutte pointed out that the two reasons for extending the restrictions announced three weeks ago are the high numbers of daily infections, which, despite have been reduced since the “night lockdown” came into effect, they are still “very high”, and the threat from the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 could reverse that downward trend.
He urged to resort to self-tests before making visits to a house, especially if it is to the elderly, and to respect measures to avoid contagion, which includes keeping distance, do not shake hands, maintain good ventilation and isolate yourself at home if symptoms of covid are shown – 19.
“As long as hospitals are full and regular treatments and surgeries are postponed, we must continue to fight against the virus. Additionally, there are reasons for concern and caution due to the new Omicron variant. It is expected to replace the delta variant in the coming weeks, “said the Dutch executive.
The Institute of Public Health (RIVM) has so far recorded a total of 123 infections with the new variant e, including 18 cases that arrived two weeks ago on two flights from South Africa.
Regarding the vaccination campaign, the Dutch Government announced that all people over 18 years will have the option of receiving a booster dose from the second half of January. This injection would be given after at least three months, instead of six, after the last dose or the coronavirus infection.
In the Netherlands 116, 447 positive tests in the last seven days, a 21% less than the previous week, while 2 , 764 patients are hospitalized with Covid – 19, of which 654 are in intensive care units, according to figures published today by the RIVM.
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