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During theCOVID-19 pandemic in the Netherlands, various measures were taken by the government. On the advice of theOutbreak Management Team (OMT) set up by the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), many successive decisions were taken in a short period of time. The first preventive measures came into effect on Monday, January 27, 2020.[1]
On Monday, January 27, 2020, MinisterBruno Bruins ofhealth care announced thatCOVID-19, the disease caused bySARS-CoV-2, is classified as adisease. This means that residents of the Netherlands are obliged to report if they suspect they are infected with thevirus, or if others suspect that they are infected with the virus. The minister was also able to intervene quickly and take decisions thanks to extraministerial powers.[2]
Experts from the OMT did not consider screening atSchiphol Airport or handing outmasks to be useful. Since Schiphol Airport had no direct connections withWuhan, no measures were taken there.[2] Good hygiene and keeping a distance from sick people were considered sufficient. However, the airport was provided with signs with information about the disease.[2] RIVM andErasmus MC made tests available to determine whether someone is infected with SARS-CoV-2.[citation needed]
With the 2019-nCoV Regulation of the minister for health care of 28 January, the virus and the virus infection that causes it were classified as infectious disease belonging to group A, referred to in Article 1, part e, of the law public health. With this, all provisions of this law for infectious diseases belonging to group A also came into effect for this disease.[citation needed]
Because the virus is marked as adisease, the notification requirement is activated. If a doctor in the Netherlands suspects or establishes the coronavirus in a person examined by him, he must immediately report this to theGGD. The GGD will immediately report this to the RIVM.[citation needed]
It also makes it possible to apply the control measures included in the Public Health Act, such as the isolation of (presumably) infected persons.[citation needed]
Finally, this means that the Minister for Medical Care will be responsible for directing the fight against this disease. This means that the minister determines the measures to combat it.[3]
Until 1 December 2020, new versions ofemergency regulation were always in force for mandatory measures per security region. Since then, there have been national schemes based on the "Temporary Covid-19 Measures Act"[citation needed]