LThe attitude adopted by the United Kingdom and the Netherlands contrasts with the radical measures taken in neighboring European countries. It has so far been criticized by scientists who consider it too timid in the face of the magnitude of the crisis.
UK
The British government asked the public on Monday to avoid “social contact” and “non-essential” displacement, by promoting teleworking and by ceasing to frequent pubs and theaters, to limit the spread of the new coronavirus which has now made more than 50 dead in the UK.
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“The time has come for everyone to end all non-essential social contact and to stop all non-essential displacement,” Prime Minister Boris Johnson has criticized so far during a press conference. for the weakness of his government’s response to the pandemic.
He said it was a “strong recommendation” but that it was “not necessary” in the state to issue bans on assembly or closings of public places, while discouraging their attendance .
Johnson also said the government did not consider it necessary to close the schools as it stood, adding that the decision could be reviewed.
He also said that it would be “necessary (…) to ensure that those with the most fragile health are largely protected from social contact for twelve weeks”.
The government also now requires any household where a member exhibits symptoms of contamination, high temperature or persistent cough, to quarantine for 14 days at home.
The United Kingdom has registered 1,543 positive cases. 55 patients died of Covid-19, 18 more in a day, according to the latest report provided Monday by the Minister of Health Matt Hancock.
However, this country does not carry out systematic tests and the number of actual cases could be much higher.
“Without drastic action, the number of cases could double every five or six days,” warned Boris Johnson.
The Netherlands
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said on Monday he wanted to promote the development of collective immunity in the Netherlands, where, he warned, most of his compatriots will be infected with the new coronavirus. He ruled out complete containment of the population.
“There is no easy message for you this evening (…) The reality is that a large part of the Dutch population will be infected with the coronavirus. That’s what the experts are telling us, “said Rutte grimly in a TV speech.
The Dutch government on Sunday ordered the closure of all schools, bars, restaurants, brothels and coffee shops until April 6.
In his speech to the nation on Monday, the Prime Minister announced that his government wanted to achieve “group immunity” pending a vaccine, leaving the least vulnerable to catch the virus while protecting the elderly and the sick, which could take “months or more”.
He stressed that unlike Italy, Spain or France, which imposed strong measures to stop the spread of Covid-19, the Netherlands did not envisage total containment.
“In this scenario, we should shut down our country for a year or more, with all the consequences” that this implies, he said, adding that the virus “could reappear immediately if the measures are withdrawn.”
According to the latest official count, 1,413 cases of contamination by the new coronavirus have been detected in the Netherlands, including 24 deaths.
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