Police also want priority in Covid testing

Police officers would also like to get priority in being tested for the coronavirus, like healthcare workers and teachers are getting from Monday. The police is also an essential service that is already facing staff shortages, police spokesperson Mireille Beentjes said in Spraakmakers on NPO Radio 1.

On Monday morning a hotline launched where employees in education and healthcare can make a priority booking for a coronavirus test. The idea is for them to be tested in the morning as much as possible, and get their results by that evening, so that they don't have to wait at home unnecessarily. Both education and healthcare are facing staff shortages, even without the coronavirus crisis increasing sick leave.

The police are in the same boat, Beentjes said. "We have trouble filling rosters, working from home is not an option for these people. Police officers must be tested faster than now," she said. "Police officers do their work on the street, every day that they wait at home for a test result is one day too manly. Left or right, as long as it goes faster than now."