Netherlands brings back coronavirus curbs as cases rise
- A face mask requirement and a 1.5-metre social distancing rule are some of the restrictions being reintroduced less than two months after rules were relaxed
- The move makes the Netherlands one of the first in western Europe to bring back tougher Covid-19 measures
The Netherlands is bringing back coronavirus measures including a requirement for face masks in many public spaces to combat a surge in cases, Prime Minister Mark Rutte said on Tuesday.
He said the government was also reintroducing a 1.5-metre (five-foot) social distancing rule, extending so-called Covid-19 passes to places such as museums and restaurant terraces.
People are also being advised to work from home for at least half the week and avoid rush-hour travel.
The move – which makes the Netherlands one of the first in western Europe to bring back restrictions – comes less than two months after it drastically relaxed anti-coronavirus measures.
“It won’t surprise anyone that we have a difficult message tonight. Infections and hospital admissions are rising quickly,” Rutte told a press conference.
Police attended a small protest outside the justice and security ministry as the measures were announced, local media said.