Dutch kindergartens and primary schools are set to reopen on February 8 amid a drop in the rate of coronavirus contamination in the Netherlands.
Schools were closed in mid-December in this country of 17.2 million people, where nearly 14,000 have succumbed to Covid-19.
Read also: Covid-19: the Netherlands ignites against a backdrop of curfew
"The government decided this afternoon that it was justified to allow children to return to kindergarten and primary school on February 8,"
Education Minister Arie Slob said on Sunday January 31.
“It's a relief that schools can reopen.
For parents and teachers, but of course especially for students, ”
he told reporters.
"We will continue to monitor the situation closely, as it remains serious,"
added the minister, alluding to concerns about new variants of the virus, such as that from Britain which scientists say is more contagious.
But Dutch health officials reported 3,714 new cases of the coronavirus
on
Sunday,
"the lowest number in a while,"
with just 40 deaths reported.
Authorities also discussed other measures, including a nighttime curfew from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m., which sparked three days of violent riots last week in the Netherlands.
No decision regarding the curfew has been announced.
Meanwhile, protesters took to the streets again on Sunday, but rallies remained mostly peaceful.