This makes it seem voluntary. Kidnapped would be a more appropriate term.
You can follow tonight's press conference on the NOS or you can just read our extremely serious and highly sophisticated tweets. nos.nl/artikel/234310…
The rumor is no new measures. Irma won't be there. Why are we even here? dutchnews.nl/news/2020/08/s…
Seems no one unlocked the door. Now Rutte is coming in from another door. This is a metaphor for something.
Prime Minister Mark Rutte and health minister and car salesman Hugo de Jongen are here tonight.
Rutte starts: We hoped for a careless summer but that didn't happen. [Who could have seen that coming?]
He wishes the best to the Dutch rescue team that is now in Beruit and says he is thinking of the victims.
The virus is going through a dangerous rise, he says, and we might lose what we gained in the last months.
Right off the bat: no second lockdown. That will be done only locally or regionally. He says that de Jonge will explain more about regulations later.
We got the virus under control by following the rules and now more people do not do that. [Glad he's looked outside.]
Most transmissions are happening at home, including at the dreaded Dutch circle birthday parties.
He empathizes that, even at home, people need to keep to the 1.5 meter distance. This is true even for young people.
"Corona is not over, it is not a joke and it is dumb to act like it is." [Uh oh, we're in trouble]
He gives a special appeal to young people: if you aren't keeping to the rules, don't come into contact with vulnerable people.
He says that we are not there yet where we need another lockdown but we could reach that critical point.
Mayors will get new tools, he says. Enforcing masks, one way traffic in streets, no public at games and limiting the hours for horeca.
Mayors will also be able to restrict football matches. He calls out Feyenoord supports specifically, who have been [gasp] singing.
He's outlining restrictions for freshers week/new student week/whatever you call it when new students show up for university. Student societies will be restricted to introductions online and group activities will be limited.
[He didn't say anything about alcohol which has been a point of contention.]
Did De Jongen just wink at the sign language person? He's not doing much to combat his reputation as a used car dealer.
Rutte says the other national rule (other than the student week restrictions) is to make stricter rules for horeca: You will have sit, you will have to reserve and you will have to give your contact details. If there's an infection, you have to close for two weeks.
Now we go to de Jonge who has either been sitting in the sun or dyed his hair blonder. Could go either way really.
"The freedom we have comes with great responsibility," he says.
[Petition to ban politicians from using this quote ever again.]
He says infections are accelerating, specifically in Amsterdam, Rotterdam and the Hague area.
We have to get our discipline back, he says.
He says that we see vulnerable people limiting themselves because other people aren't taking the restrictions seriously.
He says not to travel to places that are code orange (looking at you, Antwerp.) If you come back from such a place, you have to stay home for two weeks. They plan to follow up with people who do travel. [Back from Belgium by car?]
There will be testing at Schiphol and people flying in will need to stay home for two weeks, even if you test negative.
As of September 1, the app will be functional. [Which app? There were so many apps? TikTok?]
Also they are aiming to test people who have contact with infected people within 7 days. [That seems...long.]
They are also working hard on a vaccine. [Spiffy]
First question: Should be worried about a second wave? Rutte says it isn't a second wave, yet. We have to get the testing better off.
Follow up: You said there would be a rise, is it rising faster than expected? Rutte says yes, there are worrying trends.
A question the handhaven, should we use them more? [There are the sorta police] Rutte says this is up to local governments.
Is testing at Schiphol mandatory? De Jonge says that's not possible, only if there's strong evidence that someone is infected.
Question: Is the virus under control?
[We....there....I....it is entirely too hot for this nonsense.]
[We....there....I....it is entirely too hot for this nonsense.]
Rutte, unlike us, can respond. He says it can be kept under control, but the virus is not done with us.
When will the critical point be reached? Rutte says the dashboard will indicate that. [Really?]
Rutte goes on to say that people should be scared by the numbers. He also says kids are the worst.
[He didn't literally say that, he said that young people are not adhering to the rules.]
A question about face maks, they are required in Rotterdam and Amsterdam why not everywhere? Rutte doubles (triples, says for the 50th time) down on the idea that masks are only useful in places where the distance isn't possible, like on public transport.
We are on the third sign language interpreter of the evening. Irma used to do them all solo. If this isn't proof that she is an actual superhero, we don't know what is.
Reporter has a question for "Jonge," Rutte corrects him "De Jonge," reporter says "I know, I know him." I mean, it's not what you said buddy but let's move on.
Question: People in the Netherlands aren't just afraid of the virus but also of the lockdown. Will we be getting one? De Jonge jumps in to say that the outbreaks are regional and lockdowns should be done as such.
A question about weddings: Can we have them? Gotta keep the 1.5 meters Rutte says. [Gonna make for a real awkward first kiss...]
Rutte does acknowledge that this would be "niet gezellig."
Can we have block parties? Rutte says you can if you maintain the distance [Which is not the answer a certain DN employee wanted ahead of this weekend.]
Is it possible to have a national requirement for masks? Currently it's not.
De Jonge adds that Amsterdam and Rotterdam are an experiment (with masks) and we can see what happens there.
How will GGDs ensure that people who return from other countries actually stay home? He says it's possible to check with passenger manifests, they will encourage people to get tested at Schiphol and follow up with people.
There is a question about ventilation. De Jonge says there is advice from the RIVM. dutchnews.nl/news/2020/08/v…
Over face masks again: The Dutch seem to be going a different way than other countries in Europe. Rutte says he doesn't want to say anything about other questions but the Dutch have good advisors and the government requested the experts to examine the issue again.
But the conclusion was that masks don't do much to prevent transmission, the 1.5 meter distance is better and masks can change people's behavior (like not keeping distance.)
That is a wrap. Rutte jokes that he can't get out the door (because earlier it was locked.) Our story will be out shortly.
While you're waiting for the article, why don't you donate? This is how we keep the lights on and the gin glasses full. dutchnews.nl/donate-to-dutc…
Here ya go: dutchnews.nl/news/2020/08/c…
