Skip to main content
Home

Main navigation

  • Top stories
  • Health
  • Crime
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Tech
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Weird
  • 1-1-2
Image
Mark Rutte and Sing language interpreter Irma Sluis
Mark Rutte and Sing language interpreter Irma Sluis at the coronavirus update news conference on June 24, 2020 - Credit: RVD / Minister-President / Facebook
Health
Coronavirus
Covid-19
SARS-CoV-2
Sjaak de Gouw
GGD
Mark Rutte
Hugo de Jonge
SGP
Chris Stoffer
social distancing
enforcement
Wednesday, 22 July 2020 - 13:40
Share this:
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • linkedin
  • whatsapp
  • reddit

Stricter measures needed to contain coronavirus; Calls for gov't press conference as infections rise

With the number of coronavirus cases in the Netherlands climbing more and more, stricter measures and harsher enforcement are needed to contain the virus, according to Sjaak de Gouw of health service GGD. "That combination would be good, but that is difficult," he said to NOS. The SGP thinks it is time for the Prime Minister and Public Health Minister to hold another press conference and remind everyone of the danger.

On Tuesday the RIVM reported that the number of Covid-19 infections doubled in one week, from 534 to 987. The percentage of positive tests increased by two thirds.

According to De Gouw, stricter measures and increased enforcement would be a good combination in the fight against a second coronavirus wave. "But that is difficult," he said to the broadcaster. "Enforcers and police officers are also on vacation, they have the right to it, and they are already being deployed extra." He called it "especially worrying" that Netherlands residents are no longer taking the coronavirus rules very seriously. "But you cannot put an enforcer everywhere. It is people's own responsibility, because that is what our policy is based on."

SGP parliamentarian Chris Stoffer called on Prime Minister Mark Rutte and Public Health Minister Hugo de Jonge to hold another press conference and increase the "sense of urgency" in adhering to the coronavirus measures. The Ministry of Health calls on people to be extra alert, pay more attention to staying 1.5 meters apart, and to avoid crowds. But the SGP thinks that message would be better distributed via press conference.

It's time for a wake-up call, Stoffer said to NOS. The last press conference was held before the holidays, when coronavirus numbers were improving. Now everyone, especially young people, should be reminded to be responsible, he said. "Think about your grandpas and grandmas."

Follow us:

Latest stories

  • Two killed in fatal Arnhem fire are women aged 46 and 51
  • Lynxes might settle in Netherlands again; A "dilemma," Minister says
  • Leak of Dutch PM's row with Finance Minister is "Gossip and backstabbing;" Rutte apologized
  • Dutch police take down Exclu encrypted chat service with 42 arrests, €4 million seized
  • One worker killed, four hurt in Zeeland Refinery accident
  • Left-wing parties want to retroactively tax Shell's record profits more heavily

Top stories

  • Dutch police take down Exclu encrypted chat service with 42 arrests, €4 million seized
  • Signal failure briefly halts train traffic around A'dam; NS warns of significant delays
  • Matching medicine dosage to patient's DNA can cut side effects 30%: LUMC
  • Dutch airports' traveler numbers not yet back to pre-pandemic levels in 2022
  • Dutch parliamentarians support €57 rent reduction for low-income households
  • European office to gather proof of war crimes in Ukraine will set up in The Hague

© 2012-2023, NL Times, All rights reserved.

Footer menu

  • Privacy
  • Contact
  • Partner content