Iran Press/ Europe: The use of a "corona pass", showing proof of a COVID-19 vaccination or recent negative coronavirus test, will be broadened as of Nov. 6 to public places including museums, gyms, and outdoor terraces.
Coronavirus infections in the Netherlands have been rising for a month after most social distancing measures were scrapped in late September, and reached their highest level since July in the past week.
This has forced many hospitals to cut back on regular care again, to make room for urgent Covid-19 cases.
In a televised news conference, Prime Minister Mark Rutte called on all Dutch, vaccinated and unvaccinated, to stick to basic hygiene rules and to stay at home if they had symptoms of a possible infection.
"Our behavior is crucial, a very large part of our coronavirus policy depends on it," the prime minister said.
The strain on hospitals is an immediate concern, as the country’s National Institute for Health said on Tuesday admissions are up 31 percent in the past week, with unvaccinated patients accounting for most hospitalizations.
Among people testing positive in the past month, about 52 percent say they were unvaccinated, while 45 percent say they were fully vaccinated, according to RIVM data.
Earlier on Tuesday, the country’s Health Council recommended that fully vaccinated adults aged 60 and older should begin receiving a booster shot.
Rutte’s government routinely adopts the council’s recommendations.
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