At the press conference it was confirmed that the extra strict measures that were announced two weeks ago will expire tomorrow evening at midnight. Nevertheless, the cabinet does not want to make any further statements about the possibility that the Hotel and Catering Industry may open around Christmas. Current forecasts show that real easing will not occur until mid-January, on the assumption that declines will continue as they are now.

The cabinet has not yet taken a decision on Christmas. We do not yet know what we are doing with the catering industry. In any case, we hope that something is possible again, but the entire catering industry will certainly not be able to open according to de Jong. The cabinet indicated several times in the press conference that every foreign country around us is going exactly the other way and that we are doing quite well in the Netherlands.

“This year in particular, extra attention is needed for each other and our environment. Then it helps if the Christmas table is slightly larger again. At the same time, we must ensure that we do not give ourselves a third wave, ”says De Jonge. "Hold on."

partial lockdown

According to Prime Minister Rutte, the figures give cause for a slight relaxation of the corona measures. At midnight, the measures will go back to the way they applied two weeks ago, namely the so-called partial lockdown. When the corona law takes effect on December 1, mouth masks will be mandatory in shops and other public indoor spaces. 

The cabinet wants the Dutch to celebrate Sinterklaas with few people. "We receive a maximum of three people at home." There should not be any relaxation yet. "Divide the party differently over a few days", is the advice of Prime Minister Rutte. "And take an example of the corona robbery entry of Sinterklaas."

According to the prime minister, there is still room for improvement. Especially in supermarkets and other shops, people can keep to the rules better, and also at home. That means working from home more and receiving fewer people.

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