Netherlands: Government bans gatherings of more than 100 people March 12 /update 4

Event

On Thursday, March 12, Netherlands Prime Minister Mark Rutte announced that gatherings of more than 100 people, including at museums, concert venues, theatres, and sports events, will be banned until Tuesday, March 31, due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. In particular, the Rijksmuseum National Gallery and Van Gogh Museum will be closed until the end of March as a precautionary measure. The government is also encouraging people to work from home and practice social distancing. Vulnerable individuals, including the elderly and those with pre-existing medical conditions, have been advised to avoid large gatherings and to refrain from taking public transport.

As of Thursday, March 12, the National Insitute for Public Health and the Environment has confirmed 614 cases of the virus nationwide. Further international spread of the virus is expected in the near term.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Human-to-human and patient-to-medical staff transmission of the virus have been confirmed. Many of the associated fatalities have been due to pneumonia caused by the virus.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic.

Pneumonia symptoms include dry cough, chest pain, fever, and trouble breathing. Pneumonia can be contagious and can be transmitted from human to human. The influenza virus, or the flu, is a common cause of viral pneumonia.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly, and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question.It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

To reduce the risk of transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands. 
• If experiencing a fever, cough, and difficulty breathing, seek medical care urgently and share your previous travel history with your health care provider.