Netherlands brings forward next phase of reopening as infections tumble Amsterdam hospital announces closure of a coronavirus unit due to fall-off in admissions
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Dutch outgoing minister of health Hugo de Jonge: “All the figures that should be going down are going down, and those that should be going up are going up.” Photograph: Bart Maat
After a 15-month struggle with coronavirus that has cost more than 20,000 lives, the Netherlands is to bring forward the third phase of its reopening by four days – on foot of figures showing a significant fall in new infections and fatalities.
In advance of Friday’s cabinet meeting, acting health minister Hugo de Jonge said that, as of Saturday week, June 5th, the hard-pressed catering sector – which saw its biggest-ever fall in sales last year – can again serve food indoors, though only to a maximum of 30 socially distanced customers.
Economic affairs minister off sick with occupational exhaustion
Photo: Arenda Oomen via Rijksoverheid.nl
Economic affairs minister Bas van ‘t Wout, who took over the job following the resignation of Erik Wiebes in the aftermath the childcare benefit tax scandal, is off sick with an occupational burn-out and will be out for at least three months, the state information service RVD has said.
Van ‘t Wout’s job will be taken over by foreign minister Stef Blok and trade minister Sigrid Kaag will take over Blok’s duties. In addition, a second junior minister will be appointed to the economic affairs department to focus on energy and climate change, the RVD said.
Most healthcare workers will get a bonus of up to €240 this year
Photo: Depositphotos.com
The caretaker cabinet is planning to give a bonus to everyone who works in healthcare and earns less than twice the modal wage this year, medical care minister Tamara van Ark has told MPs.
Depending on the number of requests, the bonus will be a net amount of between €200 and €240, the minister said. The government has set aside €720m to fund it.
This year the plan is to include physiotherapists and midwives as well. Like last year, when the bonus was €1,000, cleaners, self-employed nurses and agency staff are also eligible.
Council wardens at an Amsterdam market. Photo: DutchNews.nl
Health minister Hugo de Jonge has confirmed there will be a press conference on Tuesday evening and, according to various Dutch media outlets, that means the curfew is likely to be scrapped and pavement cafes may be able to open again.
According to the AD, ‘all lights are green’ for a relaxation of the rules from April 28. Café terraces may face an earlier closing time to make policing easier and this will be discussed by justice minister Ferd Grapperhaus with regional safety board chiefs on Monday evening, the AD said.
Despite confirming the press conference will take place, De Jonge declined to be drawn on what will be announced. However the prognoses for hospital admissions in the coming days – one of the key factors – are an important factor, he said.