The Netherlands eliminates the use of masks, the covid pass and the distance

The Dutch government announced this Tuesday that it is going to end indoor masks, the use of the covid pass in social life, the interpersonal distance of one and a half meters, and teleworking, after confirming that the omicron wave has already reached its peak .

The relaxations will come into force in stages between now and February 25, Health Minister Ernst Kuipers said at a press conference that for the first time since March 2020 did not feature Prime Minister Mark Rutte, who is taking a step back in this management due to a “new phase” of the pandemic.

Kuipers stressed that, in recent months, “many more people have been infected, more than ever” and “we are more resistant to the virus also thanks to booster doses”, for this reason, and despite the fact that infections are high, he pointed out , it is time to “reopen the country” because “now it seems that we are at, or below, the peak” of the current wave.

The most immediate relaxation involves the end of the limit of four guests to a house and full-time telecommuting.

Among the relaxations that will come into force on Friday is the extension of the opening hours of the hotel and culture until 1 in the morning; and no mask or interpersonal distance will be required in places with less than 500 people where the covid pass is required to access.

The days that an infected person must spend in isolation are also reduced from seven to five, as long as they spend at least 24 hours without symptoms.

As of February 25, the rule of a meter and a half interpersonal, the need for the covid pass in hospitality and culture, the restrictions on closing hours, and it will be the end of the masks as a general rule, since its use will only be mandatory on public transport and on planes until at least March 15.

This also means the return of nightlife, festivals and major events. The only restriction that will remain at the end of the month will apply to indoor events with more than 500 guests, who will need a negative test whether they are vaccinated or not, so soccer games and outdoor events will be free access.

The figures published today by the Institute of Public Health (RIVM) show that the omicron variant is being replaced by its BA.2 subvariant, which is now the predominant one among registered infections.

There are 1,651 patients with COVID-19 in hospitals, 8% more admissions than a week ago, but there is a 19% decrease in ICU admissions, where there are about 181 patients at the moment.

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