The cabinet says it is too early to decide on Christmas measures.
The Outbreak Management Team (OMT), which advises the government on pandemic measures, has said that the current restrictions need to stay in place during December. The OMT is comprised of experts in the medical field. These experts are concerned about the impact that relaxing measures in December could have on the country’s contagion rates. The OMT are also in favour of extending students’ Christmas holidays to try and reduce infection rates.
However, the government is not ready to announce Christmas measures. COVID-19 Minister, Hugo de Jonge, has again said that it is too early to announce anything with regards to Christmas restrictions. The country will have to wait until December 8 for any announcements concerning Christmas. On December 8, we can expect a press conference which should include information on what we can and can’t do over the festive period. Thus far, the cabinet hasn’t made any decisions regarding Christmas restrictions.
De Telegraaf notes that PM Mark Rutte, speaking on Saturday, sounded doubtful that restrictions would be relaxed over Christmas, saying: ‘with these figures that will be difficult.’ It looks as though a normal Christmas is off the cards, as it stands, but we will have to wait until December 8 to find out just how different this Christmas will be.
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