Rutte: Schools remain open
Primary schools, secondary schools and MBOs do not have to close because of the corona virus. Prime Minister Mark Rutte announced this at a press conference on Thursday.
On Thursday, March 12, Rutte, together with Minister of Health Bruno Bruins and Jaap van Dissel of the RIVM, gave a press conference in which additional measures for the Netherlands were announced. In the run-up to the press conference, the General Association of School Leaders (AVS) made an urgent appeal to the cabinet to close all schools in the Netherlands due to the virus. The Union finds the current measures are 'very limited'.
Sensible
Although the cabinet announced new measures for all Dutch people, there is no reason yet to close the schools. Rutte: 'At the moment, closing the schools does very little to combat the crisis.' The social consequences are too great at the moment. 'If parents are forced to stay at home because of the school closure, that has a major social consequence. They are needed at the GGD, the police or the fire brigade, 'says Rutte. In addition, young people do not belong to the group with the highest risks from the corona virus. 'It is the most sensible measure at the moment. We base our advice in this country on the advice of experts. '
Closing schools is currently doing very little to combat the crisis
Online lecture
In the press conference, Rutte did explain higher education. Colleges and universities should give their lectures online as much as possible, so that large groups of students - no more than a hundred - do not have to come together. Offering lectures online is in accordance with the additional measures announced by Minister Bruno Bruins for all Dutch citizens. For example, he said that large events with more than a hundred people will be cancelled.
In addition, everyone in the Netherlands who suffers from a cold, cough, sore throat and fever must stay at home. This measure already applied rather for the province of Brabant. In the schools there it already ensured that teachers and students were at home. Bruins also advised working from home as much as possible and not visiting vulnerable people, such as the elderly.
Also see: 'No lessons at colleges and universities for the time being'
And read the frequently asked questions from education staff about the coronavirus. Our legal staff have listed the most important questions for you. Also AObchairman Eugenie Stolk responded to the latest developments. You can read that message via this link.
