Status: 07/10/2021 8:32 a.m.
The number of new corona infections is increasing rapidly in the Netherlands – and that is why the government is pulling the ripcord: As of today, stricter requirements apply again. For the time being, they mean the end of the nightlife again.
After two weeks, the freedoms in the Netherlands are partly over: Due to the sharp rise in the number of corona infections, the government decided to tighten some measures again.
Nightlife is particularly affected: clubs and discos have to close completely again for the time being. In a message on its website, the Dutch government attributes most of the new infections to celebrating together in the club scene or at parties.
The Netherlands are tightening corona requirements again due to increasing new infections
Tagesschau 05:10 am, July 10th, 2021
For example, in the city of Enschede near the German border Hundreds of mostly young people visiting a nightclub were infected. Admission was only possible with a negative test or proof of a complete vaccination or survived infection. It is believed that numerous pieces of evidence may have been forged.
Curfew comes into effect again from midnight
The stricter requirements that have been in force in the Netherlands since Saturday also stipulate a curfew for gastronomy: restaurants, bars and cafes have to close between midnight and 6 a.m. In addition, the operator is obliged to keep a minimum distance of 1.5 meters between the tables and seats of the guests. Live music or other forms of live entertainment are taboo for the time being.
Events such as festivals without fixed seats may not take place for the time being. For other cultural or sporting events, for example, the minimum distance must also be observed.
Worry about delta variant
In its written statement, the Dutch government stressed that it had “no choice” but to tighten the restrictions again. The increasing number of infections is a risk for all those who have not yet been fully vaccinated against the coronavirus. The spreading delta variant increases this risk and has already led to infections in people who have complete vaccination protection or have already been infected. In the Netherlands, around 40 percent of the population is now fully vaccinated. Around two thirds received the first dose of the vaccine.
Prime Minister Mark Rutte also warned: “We have to slow down the rapid spread of the virus.” Also out of the concern that other countries could declare the Netherlands a risk area again and that travel could be restricted again accordingly.
Almost 7,000 new infections within 24 hours
The health authorities in the Netherlands reported almost 7,000 new infections in one day on Friday. The number of cases has been rising continuously since the beginning of the month, while it had been significantly lower in the previous weeks. The daily values had not exceeded the limit of 1000 between mid-June and early July. The seven-day incidence is currently 129, according to the Johns Hopkins University and the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control.
The Netherlands had only lifted its Corona requirements almost completely on June 26th. The measures, which have now been tightened again, should initially apply at least until August 13th.
Dutch are tightening corona protection again
Ralf Lachmann, WDR, July 9, 2021 11:33 p.m.