The Netherlands will begin banning the arrival of flights from several countries among the most affected by the Covid-19 coronavirus outbreak. The decision will affect flights from China, Hong Kong, Iran, Italy and South Korea, said Minister Cora van Nieuwenhuizen on Friday after a meeting with Cabinet members.
The restriction was set to begin at 6 p.m. on Friday, less than three hours after the announcement was made. Complicating matters further, more countries may be added or removed from the list on any given day.
“Flights that took off before that time may still land in the Netherlands,” the Minister of Infrastructure. “But after 6:00 pm no more aircraft are allowed to take off from those countries” if the Netherlands is their destination, she said.
The rule will remain in place through March 26, and it does not affect cargo flights. The decision is to prevent new people from entering the country who are carrying the virus, she said.
There was no plan in place to repatriate Dutch citizens who wish to return to the Netherlands, but the Cabinet is examining its options. Dutch people in Italy were advised to look for ground transportation back to the country.
In the Netherlands, 804 people tested positive for coronavirus in the two week period from February 27 to March 12. Of those patients, ten older people suffering from additional health complaints have died.
