The Netherlands has announced the introduction of a Covid Pass to enter bars, restaurants and festivals for people over 13 from September 25.
But as if to better pass the pill with the Dutch, while contamination rates are falling, the Prime Minister also announced the end of one of the most visible health restrictions of the pandemic, compulsory social distancing:
“I am happy that we can announce today that we can abolish the distance of one meter fifty, it will no longer be an obligation from Saturday, September 25. Of course, it remains reasonable to give yourself space and one meter fifty is still the safety distance, but it will no longer be compulsory “, explained Mark Rutte.
_ “This means that more people can go to the cafe or restaurant at the same time. It also means that festivals and sporting events can once again be held at full capacity.” _
And the Prime Minister stressed that the health passes were “already used in many neighboring countries”, such as France where it boosted vaccinations.
But the Dutch government rejects criticism from opponents such as the populist and coronasceptic politician Thierry Baudet, who says the Pass is a way of enforcing vaccination.
“Using the Coronavirus Pass does not force anyone to be vaccinated. You can also perform tests to be able to enter somewhere, and for now it is free”, explained the Minister of Health Hugo de Jonge.
Wearing a protective mask, however, remains compulsory in public transport and airports, but not in trains or on tram platforms.
Vaccination, the ultimate weapon in the UK
For the UK, which lifted most health restrictions in July, a third shot of the vaccine will be offered next week for people over 50 and caregivers.
The country records around 30,000 new cases of Covid-19 per day, with more than 1,000 patients on ventilators. He deplores more than 134,000 deaths since the start of the pandemic.
Vaccination is the ultimate weapon despite a further rise in contamination, said British Prime Minister Boris Johnson:
“We have higher levels of daily cases, thousands more. But in many crucial ways the British people, all of us collectively and individually, are incomparably better placed to fight the disease. Over 80% of the over 16-year-olds are now doubly vaccinated, and about 90% of the adult population has antibodies. These vaccines work. “
The vaccination of 12-15 year olds will therefore also begin next week. They will receive a first, and for now, single dose of the Pfizer / BioNTech vaccine.
The British government wants to be vigilant. In the event of a worsening of the pandemic, the wearing of a mask may become mandatory again, a health pass could also be considered.
Reference-feedproxy.google.com