Netherlands should be in (partial) lockdown tomorrow

University Hospital Groningen is looking for help in Germany. The vaccination rate is high. Meanwhile, the hospitality industry announces resistance.

First, it turns out differently. Second than you think. In mid-September, Dutch decision-makers still assumed that the last corona measures would be lifted at the beginning of November. At that time, the aim was to keep the virus in check with the "corona access proof" - in fact a 3G rule at many events.

Instead of the end of the pandemic, stricter measures were announced at the beginning of November. For example, 3G control has been extended to more events and people are again required to wear a breathing mask in shops and public buildings.

On November 2nd, I referred to a fire letter from the heads of university intensive care units (What does solidarity mean in the Corona era?). Soon too few beds will be available for potentially life-saving heart, tumor or accident surgeries.

This situation has now occurred at the university hospital in northern Groningen. The director of the heart center there, Massimo Mariani, told a local news channel that the important operations could hardly be carried out due to the lack of beds.

The waiting lists would get longer again. At the moment, only the most necessary interventions can be carried out. Clinics in Duisburg and Münster were asked for help, where there is currently overcapacity.

Leaked plans

There have been rumors for a few days that further tightening will be announced at today's press conference at 7 p.m. So far it has always been the case that before the official government statements are made, the essential facts have been leaked to the press.

Since yesterday, the news has been spreading that the government will order a new (partial) lockdown, which should come into force on Saturday November 13th. Restaurants and non-essential shops would then have to close at 7 p.m.

One should not receive more than three guests at home. In addition, employees would have to work from home again as much as possible. Sporting events such as football games should again take place without spectators on site. Thus, the World Cup qualifier between Holland and Norway next Tuesday would also be played in a “ghost stadium”.

The Outbreak Management Team, which advises the government, is said to have only recommended a two-week lockdown. The media is now talking about three weeks. It is currently unclear whether anything will change for the education sector.

After the three weeks, perhaps 2G rules will come into effect. Parliament is scheduled to debate the new measures next Tuesday.

High vaccination rate

The Netherlands has a vaccination rate that German health politicians can only dream of: around 84 percent of the population aged 18 and over has already been vaccinated twice (as of November 9). From the age of 12 it is 86 percent. In Germany it is just 67 percent of the total population (as of November 12).

In the Netherlands, people over the age of 60 and younger people with previous illnesses are currently invited to a booster vaccination. Because of the high degree of vaccination, however, only a small part of the intensive care treatments are for fully vaccinated patients. According to the health service, 4 out of 5 of these seriously ill people are unvaccinated (as of October 14).

Unsurprisingly, many entrepreneurs and sports fans are critical of the measures. The spokesman for the Dutch catering industry Robèr Willemsen even announced open resistance. The cabinet's plans are "incomprehensible". He does not assume that everyone will stick to the lockdown. "This is the limit. Entrepreneurs are mad as hell.”

In the Netherlands, rules are typically looser. If restaurants and shops stay open after 7 p.m., that would be very noticeable. In various cities, mayors had already cracked down and, in extreme cases, closed restaurants completely.

For example, after protests against the closure of “Waku Waku” in Utrecht, which did not want to check the access card, the door locks were simply changed overnight by the city at the end of September. In an urgent procedure initiated by the restaurant owner, the Utrecht court upheld the measure.

If more entrepreneurs actually resist the stricter rules, there could be a “hot autumn” here.

PS In the discussion of the article, the vaccination rate for Germany from the age of 18 also came to light. In a direct comparison, it is 78.0 percent for Germany compared to 84.4 percent for the Netherlands.

Note: This post may also appear on Telepolis. Title graphic: geralt on Pixabay.