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The decision-making process will take place on Friday, but the most involved ministers in the Catshuis have already more or less reached agreement on this, sources report to the cabinet.
There will be further rules for schools to prevent infections. The cabinet is inclined to keep not only primary and secondary schools open, but also, subject to conditions, MBOs and higher education.
‘Hopelessly divided’
According to a member of the OMT, the advisory body was “hopelessly divided” about whether or not the schools should close. The scientific evidence that children’s development is harmed if they miss social contacts from school cannot be ignored, the OMT believes. At the same time, it is a fact that most infections currently occur between the ages of 5 to 14 and 30 to 44 – children mostly in primary school and their parents.
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Outgoing minister Slob (Education) at the Catshuis.
Ⓒ ANP
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According to one present, a ‘quiet discussion’ was held in the Catshuis about this, after bed planner Ernst Kuipers gave a presentation about the prospects for the intensive care units and the nursing wards. Prime Minister Rutte and corona minister De Jonge usually support stricter measures than the rest of the cabinet.
Opening hours
Agreement was reached fairly quickly about limiting opening hours, according to a person involved. The OMT had advised to close all sectors that do not serve basic necessities from 5 in the afternoon to 5 in the morning.
The limited opening hours should apply to cafes, restaurants, theatres, cinemas, museums and non-essential shops such as clothing, furniture and toy stores. This restriction also applies to non-essential service providers such as hairdressers and zoos, if it is up to the OMT.
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