The government has imposed virtual confinement since last Sunday. The Dutch still have the right to leave their homes, but they have nothing but essential shops, everything else is closed and school holidays have been extended by a week.
With our correspondent in Brussels, Pierre Bénazet
To Netherlands, fireworks are also prohibited for New Year’s Eve, although it is a tradition that is deeply rooted in the kingdom. Critics are not silent, especially at the States General. The Dutch Parliament and Prime Minister Mark Rutte acknowledge in an interview “ communication errors “.
The last time we heard from Mark Rutte was when the Prime Minister formally asked the Dutch to stop going en masse to Cologne or Antwerp to do their Christmas shopping, or to go to a restaurant or a show. . An implicit recognition that the current measures do not pass with the Batavians.
A population not sufficiently immune believes the Prime Minister
Mark Rutte therefore decided to comply with the exercise of the Christmas interview and received the very popular daily From Telegraaf in his office in The Hague: “ I have errors to correct », Estimates the Prime Minister who is preparing to take over the head of a government coalition even though he has resigned since January 15th.
” I failed to convince »: For Mark Rutte, the communication error consists in having believed too much in the empowerment of citizens and not having insisted on compulsory measures. Faced with the arrival of Omicron variant, the Netherlands realize they are not immune enough: ” We should have started the vaccinations earlier », Affirms the Prime Minister.
This December 25, the Dutch will be able to celebrate Christmas with four guests over thirteen at home. On other days, it’s two guests maximum.