Cabinet meeting to discuss Covid measures; Evening lockdown advised

Part of the Cabinet will meet in the Catshuis on Monday about further relaxation of the coronavirus measures. The main focus is on reopening the catering and cultural sectors. The involved Ministers and experts, including RIVM director Jaap van Dissel, will also look at whether spectators can be allowed at sports matches.

According to insiders, the Outbreak Management Team (OMT) advised the Cabinet to reopen society almost completely, but with an 8:00 p.m. closing time and under strict conditions. The OMT recommended using coronavirus access passes in many places and limiting the number of visitors.

The 8:00 p.m. closing time is expected to generate a lot of discussion in the Cabinet. Entrepreneurs in the cultural sector already complain that an early closure would not allow them to do much. There is tremendous pressure to ignore this point of the OMT's advice.

Prime Minister Mark Rutte said on Friday that he was "moderately optimistic" about possible relaxations despite the high infection rates. The advice to work from home as much as possible will remain in effect, he said at the time. The Cabinet will make a final decision on Tuesday and Rutte and Healthcare Minister Ernst Kuipers will hold another press conference.