Dutch PM pushes parliament to back virus curfew

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte urged parliament Thursday to back the country’s first curfew since World War II, saying it is needed to tackle the coronavirus pandemic.

Rutte announced plans on Wednesday to introduce an 8:30 pm to 4:30 am curfew, but his initiative faces opposition from some MPs, including far-right leader Geert Wilders.

A majority of lawmakers would probably support a curfew starting from 9:00 pm, public broadcaster NOS said.

If approved in a vote later Thursday, the measure is due to take effect at the weekend and to last until at least February 9.

Rutte said the curfew plan “exactly has to do … with the British variant and the big, big worries that we all have”, referring to a new, more infectious strain of the disease that first emerged in the UK.

“We really see it now, in combination with a still high number of infections due to the existing virus. We want to push these cases further back,” said Rutte, who leads the liberal VVD party.

Wilders, head of the anti-Islam PVV party, said however that the curfew plan was “careless” and “disproportionate”.

“I stand here for freedom. I lost it myself,” said Wilders, who has for years been under round-the-clock security after receiving death threats.

“I do not accept that we unnecessarily… introduce curfews while there are alternatives.”

Rutte and his cabinet resigned on Friday over a scandal involving child tax benefits, but they will continue to govern until elections in mid-March.

The Netherlands is already under its toughest measures since the start of the pandemic, with bars and restaurants having closed in October, and schools and non-essential shops shut since December.

Rutte also announced on Wednesday a ban on flights from Britain, South Africa and South America, and for a cut in the number of guests allowed in people’s homes to one, from the current number of two.