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The sunny forecast first, from the mouth of Ben van der Zeijst, emeritus professor of vaccines and vaccinations at Leiden University: “I expect that the Netherlands will be able to lift the last restrictions in a week or two. All of them. So then the mandatory isolation for infected people. Also, the whole testing will stop.”
Van der Zeijst points to England, where the mandatory quarantine will be lifted this week. “I don’t think that is reckless, no. I believe it is justified. England is about two weeks ahead of the Netherlands in terms of vaccinations and infections. Most people have very mild symptoms of omikron. Most people have been vaccinated or have been infected. That is why I think we will follow soon.”
Cautious course
Nevertheless, the course that our government is currently taking is understandable, says Van der Zeijst. “Previously, they were a bit careless. During ‘dancing with Janssen’, the measures were relaxed too quickly. The government has paid a tuition fee for this. Now the course is on the cautious side, but I think that is good to defend. You know how we are as a people: we immediately stretch the rules to the extreme. While it is good to realize that there are still vulnerable people. They also have to go to the store. Let that sink in for a while. That’s why it’s not so bad to ease in steps.”
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Bert Niesters, epidemiologist at the University Medical Center Groningen, also understands that the isolation obligation continues to apply. “The dropout rate of personnel in the healthcare chain remains high. In hospitals, among general practitioners, in home care and in nursing homes, everywhere. When an infection in a family is involved, the whole family drops out. You have to prevent that as much as possible.”
Self-test will continue for a while
As far as Niesters is concerned, testing for access at the GGD is no longer necessary. “I don’t think that makes much sense. You can test negative in the morning and be positive in the evening. A self-test shortly before you go to an event is more useful in my opinion. The government should make those tests available in my opinion.”
The self-test will remain part of ‘normal’ life for a while, he expects. “Of all people who are tested at the GGD, more than half are positive. That means that the virus is still circulating and infects many people. That is why I think everyone should remain careful. If the virus then revives after the summer We’re still used to it.”
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Emeritus professor Van der Zeijst emphasizes that easing the restrictions stands or falls with a new variant. “Should a new variant be more dangerous, the lighting could be broken. But that is not immediately expected.”
Common sense
He appeals to the common sense of the Netherlands. “For example, don’t go to a nightclub and two days later to your vulnerable grandmother. If everyone just behaves wisely, I don’t think there is anything against the measures to be lifted quickly. That was also about time, by the way.”
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On 15 March, the cabinet will again assess the obligation to wear a face mask in public transport, the mandatory testing for access (1G) and the advice to work from home.
It is not yet known when the government will consider the remaining measures. The Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport must first ask the RIVM to issue an advice. According to a RIVM spokesperson, such a request has not yet been submitted.
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