Agreement on amended corona law, fine of 390 euros considerably lower

The corona law can take effect soon. The cabinet and a majority of the House of Representatives have long after negotiate reached an agreement.

Important changes that have been made compared to the cabinet’s proposal include that this emergency law is only valid for three months, and that the reduction of the corona fine from 390 to 99 or 95 euros will be laid down in law.

In addition, the maximum prison sentence for violating distance rules or a ban on gathering will be lowered from one month to two weeks. And there will be no national ban on visiting nursing homes.

Furthermore, the House of Representatives has taken over more power. If the cabinet has announced a corona measure and sent it to the House of Representatives, the House can object within a week. The cabinet can only impose a measure in emergencies.

Discussion

Government parties VVD, CDA, D66 and ChristenUnie have agreed on this after long discussions with opposition parties PvdA, GroenLinks, SGP and 50Plus. This means that there is a majority in the House of Representatives and the Senate. Next week may be the first debate on the law.

To the accord went an extensive social discussion and several demonstrations beforehand. It is not expected that the criticism of the corona law or the ’emergency law’ will now completely subside. Several experts and action groups called the law an infringement of civil rights. SP, PVV and Forum for Democracy are also opposed.

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