THE HAGUE - Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte announced plans to impose a curfew on the Netherlands from 8:30 p.m. through 4:30 a.m. starting on Friday. The new restrictions proposed on Wednesday also include making those who fly to the Netherlands take a rapid antigen test to further determine if they are infected with the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, a ban on all flights and ferries from the United Kingdom, passenger flights from South Africa, Suriname and parts of South America, and a maximum of one guest aged 13 or older allowed in a household per day.
"We're getting out from under this, but first we have to brace ourselves again, now that more contagious variants are coming our way," Rutte said during a press conference with outgoing Health Minister Hugo de Jonge. He was referring to coronavirus mutations like those which have caused surging numbers of infections in the United Kingdom and South Africa. "The experts are warning of a third wave, and we must take that seriously."
The outgoing Cabinet will debate the curfew restrictions in Parliament later on Wednesday. At the start of the day it was not clear whether or not Rutte had support from a majority of MPs to get the curfew approved. With the curfew being a controversial issue, the exiting prime minister opted to try and win over parliamentarians instead of initially forcing the curfew through.
The goal, Rutte said, is for the curfew to begin on Friday, with the government saying in a statement that it would likely last at least until 4:30 a.m on February 10. There were just seven exceptions to the curfew, the government said, such as for disaster response, medical emergencies involving people and pets, or for responding to a summons or similar court hearing.
One person will be allowed to walk their dog on a leash, an employee may go outside if required to do so for their employment, and a passenger starting or completing an international trip will be exempted. Participation in a funeral will also be allowed provided the participant can prove they are taking part in the event.
"With the curfew, the Cabinet wants to prevent visitors and encounters in groups and thus slow down infections," the government said in a statement.
Only the curfew has to be approved by Parliament, which Rutte said the exiting Cabinet has already agreed to unanimously. The other restrictions announced by the government will quickly take effect.
"The OMT's advice is clear. Do the maximum now, so that we will be ready for what is yet to come."
Strict travel restrictions to prevent people from arriving in the Netherlands
Travel restrictions to the Netherlands will go into force beginning on Saturday at 12:01 a.m., according to a draft statement from the Cabinet posted at 2:05 p.m. on Wednesday which was quickly taken offline. Aside from the United Kingdom and South Africa, the flight ban also includes passenger aircraft originating in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Cape Verde, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guyana, Guyana, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, and Venezuela. The Dutch government is also further limiting who will be allowed to enter the country from outside the European Union, listing diplomats, long-distance romantic partners, journalists, medical personnel and top athletes as those allowed to cross the border.
Anyone flying to the Netherlands from an area designated by the government as being at high-risk for coronavirus infections will be required to take a rapid antigen test moments before departure to the Netherlands. The rule will reply to anyone traveling by aircraft or ship, and possibly also to bus and train passengers. The negative antigen test must be presented in addition to the negative PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before arrival.
"Because rapid tests are not available everywhere near ports and airports, the double test obligation is expected to reduce the number of journeys to our country," the Cabinet said in a statement.
All passengers arriving in the Netherlands will be told to quarantine for ten days. They will be allowed to schedule another PCR test after five days of quarantine, with a negative result allowing them to leave isolation.
Other restrictions to household guests, funeral gatherings
The Prime Minister announced that the maximum number of household guests allowed per day will be cut in half. Only one person aged 13 or older will be allowed as a guest in a home, but there will still not be a limit on the number of younger children permitted as a guest.
The government warned of the increasing likelihood that the mental health of some people will deteriorate, and it again asked that family, friends, neighbors and colleagues look out for each other's well being. "Stay in touch with others by phone or video call," the government stated. "But meeting fewer people is of course difficult for everyone. Therefore, pay extra attention to people around you, especially people who are ill, lonely or have psychological complaints."
Additionally, based on advice from the outbreak management team, the caretaker Cabinet will only permit a maximum of 50 people present at a funeral. That rule will take effect at the start of Monday.
Rutte said he wanted everyone in the country to strictly stick to the advice from the Dutch government as well as the restrictions which will be enforced. "Therefore, I am appealing to the Netherlands to really say, 'Let's all stick to the measures together. You can see positive results in all European countries where there is already such a curfew."