#15,731
While researchers continue to investigate the likely impact of the recent COVID variants that have burst onto the global scene in the past couple of months, many nations - already battered by the old, `wild type' virus - are not waiting for definitive answers before acting.
Yesterday we looked at several European Nations Recommending Tougher Mask Requirements For Public, while last week a number of countries suspended travel from South America over Brazil's P.1 variant.
This morning we have a remarkably blunt statement from the Dutch government, saying they are `gravely concerned' over the rise of these new variants, which is forcing them to enact some of their strongest measures to date in hopes of limiting their spread.
Regardless of whether these new variants will impact vaccine effectiveness, or pose a greater reinfection risk (both still unclear), their increased transmissibility is enough to overwhelm local healthcare delivery systems and increase the number of deaths and serious illness.
It seems likely that - at least for the next few months - the global trend will be for more lockdowns and travel restrictions. While these measures are unlikely to halt the spread of these COVID variants, it could slow them down, giving more time to distribute vaccines.
Below you'll find excerpts from the Netherland's announcement. Follow the link to read it in its entirety.
Lockdown measures tightened in response to concerns about new variants of virus
News item | 20-01-2021 | 19:36
The government is gravely concerned about the UK variant of coronavirus, which is even more infectious than the virus we are familiar with in the Netherlands. There are also other variants of the virus that are sparking concern. New measures are needed in order to get these new variants under control.
To that end, the government plans to introduce a curfew within a few days once the measure has been approved by parliament. The government is also issuing stricter advice on visitor numbers: receive no more than one visitor aged 13 or older per day, and make no more than one visit to another household per day. Further restrictions will also be introduced to limit international travel.
The aim of the new measures is to reduce the current infection rate, delay the spread of the original and new coronavirus variants and prevent the new variants’ entry into the Netherlands as much as possible. This will enable us to prevent these variants from gaining the upper hand for as long as possible. And that will help ensure that hospitals have sufficient room for COVID-19 patients in the months ahead, and that regular medical procedures can continue as planned wherever possible. We don’t want to look back a few weeks from now and realise that we did not do enough.
Curfew
The government plans to introduce a curfew across the Netherlands within a few days of obtaining parliamentary approval of the measure. This will mean that everyone must stay inside between 20.30 and 04.30. The aim of the curfew is to slow the infection rate by preventing people from visiting each other and gathering in groups. While the curfew is in force people will not be allowed outside without a valid reason. If you need to go out at this time, you may do so only in the following circumstances:
- in the event of an emergency;
- you need urgent medical assistance, your pet needs urgent veterinary assistance or someone needs your urgent assistance;
- your employer requires you to leave your home for your work;
- you are travelling abroad or returning to the Netherlands;
- you are going to or returning from a funeral and can prove this;
- you are travelling in connection with a summons issued by a court or public prosecutor, or in connection with a court hearing in objection, judicial review or appeal proceedings, and you can prove this;
- you are walking a dog on a lead. You must do this on your own.
If it is necessary for you to go outside during the curfew, you must take a ‘curfew declaration’ with you. If you have to go out for your job, you must also be able to produce an employer’s declaration. In certain cases, no declaration is required. For more information, visit www.rijksoverheid.nl/avondklok.
The House of Representatives still needs to consider the government’s proposal to introduce a curfew. Once the House has approved the measure, more information will be posted on www.government.nl.
A curfew is a far-reaching measure, but it will help the Netherlands to further slow the spread of the virus. According to the Outbreak Management Team (OMT), research conducted abroad has shown that a curfew can reduce the R number by 8 to 13%. In principle, the curfew will remain in force until 04.30 on 10 February 2021.
Extra travel restrictions
Every journey a person makes increases the chance of causing more infections or of bringing new variants of coronavirus into the Netherlands. For this reason, the government has issued a strict travel advisory: do not travel abroad and do not book any trips abroad in the period up to and including 31 March 2021.
The government is introducing extra measures to prevent new variants of the virus being imported via travellers and to further restrict the number of travel movements. A ban on flights from the United Kingdom and a docking ban for ferries from the United Kingdom is in force. A flight ban is also in force for passenger flights from the following other countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Cabo Verde, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, South Africa, Suriname, Uruguay and Venezuela. At present the flight ban is expected to remain in force for one month, or until planned legislation on mandatory quarantine rules for travellers is in place.
In addition, all passengers travelling to the Netherlands by air or sea from high-risk areas must be able to produce a negative result of a rapid COVID-19 test performed shortly before their departure. The test must not have been performed more than four hours prior to boarding the aircraft or ship. This requirement is in addition to the existing mandatory negative test result for a PCR test performed no more than 72 hours before arrival in the Netherlands. These measures also apply to people travelling to the Caribbean parts of the Netherlands. What is more, travellers must self-quarantine for 10 days on arrival in the Netherlands. After five days they can get tested. If the result of this PCR test is negative they may end their self-quarantine. Since rapid test facilities are not available near all ports and airports, the government expects that the double-test requirement will reduce the amount of travel to the Netherlands. As a result it may be difficult for some people to get home. Dutch nationals who have a compelling reason to travel to the Netherlands and cannot produce a negative PCR and rapid test result in time should contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
For travellers from countries outside the EU, a travel ban has been in force since March 2020. The government has decided to reduce the number of exemptions from this ban. As a result, business travellers, students, highly-skilled migrants, professionals from the cultural and creative sectors and people in long-distance romantic relationships wishing to travel to the Netherlands for a short period will no longer be granted entry.
These measures will take effect on Saturday 23 January 2021 at 00.01.
