Dutch government response to the COVID-19 pandemic
Open-knowledge reference entry
During the COVID-19 pandemic in the Netherlands, various measures were taken by the government. On the advice of the Outbreak Management Team (OMT) set up by the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), many successive decisions were taken in a short period of time. The first preventive measures came into effect on Monday, January 27, 2020.
Preventive measures
On Monday, January 27, 2020, Minister Bruno Bruins of health care announced that COVID-19, the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, is classified as a disease. This means that residents of the Netherlands are obliged to report if they suspect they are infected with the virus, or if others suspect that they are infected with the virus. The minister was also able to intervene quickly and take decisions thanks to extra ministerial powers.
Experts from the OMT did not consider screening at Schiphol Airport or handing out masks to be useful. Since Schiphol Airport had no direct connections with Wuhan, no measures were taken there. Good hygiene and keeping a distance from sick people were considered sufficient. However, the airport was provided with signs with information about the disease.
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