The Dutch government is expected to announce today that it will allow restaurants, bars and theaters to reopen despite record numbers of coronavirus cases.
Prime Minister Mark Rutte and Health Minister Ernst Coopers are expected to announce the new rules at a press conference at 20.00pm Greek time.
Late yesterday, the government announced the official recommendation of health professionals and local authorities in favor of ending the strict lockdown that has been in force since mid-December.
Despite the record cases, experts say that the Omicron variant of the coronavirus, which is now predominant in the Netherlands, "has a less serious clinical picture" than the Delta variant, which caused a previous wave of infections.
Foreign studies show that hospital admissions with Omicron are 40-60% lower, while admissions to intensive care units are halved, according to experts.
Government advisers said bars, restaurants and theaters would be allowed to be open until 10pm.
Customers should present a certificate indicating that they are fully vaccinated or have recovered from an infection, or show a recent negative test.
Yesterday, more than 60.000 new cases were recorded in a 24-hour period.
Source: RES-EAP