Covid-19: curfew comes into force in the Netherlands

The Netherlands began this Saturday their first curfew since World War II, in the fight against the Covid-19 epidemic.

From 9 p.m. (8 p.m. GMT), it is forbidden to leave your home until 4:30 a.m. (3:30 a.m. GMT), with the curfew to be renewed every evening at least until February 9.

Read also: Covid-19: is a re-containment inevitable?

Any violator faces a fine of 95 euros, said the Dutch government.

Certain exemptions are possible, in particular for people returning from funerals or those having to work during the curfew, but on condition that they present a certificate of displacement.

Dog owners are authorized to go out without having to present a certificate.

Prime Minister Mark Rutte announced Wednesday his intention to institute a curfew, before obtaining parliamentary approval the next day.

Marke Rutte said the decision to institute a curfew was bolstered by "

", referring to a new, more infectious strain of the disease that has emerged in the UK. United.

According to the Prime Minister, the curfew must avoid mandatory daytime confinement, while since the start of the health crisis, the Dutch have never had to justify their movements.

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Curfew protest

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In addition to having raised the opposition of some deputies, including the far-right leader Geert Wilders, the curfew angered some of the Dutch.

On Saturday evening, the keyword “

”, in French “

”, was at the top of the Twitter Netherlands trends.

Mark Rutte and his government resigned last week following a scandal over child benefits, but they will continue to run day-to-day business until the parliamentary elections, scheduled for March 17.

The Hague announced in mid-December a new series of measures to fight Covid-19, the most severe imposed in the Netherlands since the start of the health crisis.

So-called non-essential shops in particular are closed, as are schools but also cafes and restaurants which have already been closed since mid-October.