It seems the Netherlands is ready to step up its efforts to halt the spread of the coronavirus, as news has emerged that the nation is banning all flights from the most affected countries. The decision will affect flights from China, Hong Kong, Iran, Italy and South Korea, and is due to come into force on Friday at 18:00.
News just out of Holland is that Minister Cora van Nieuwenhuizen has made a bold announcement this Friday following meetings with cabinet members earlier in the day. She said that all flights from the countries most badly affected by COVID-19 will no longer be allowed access to The Netherlands.
The announcement was made less than an hour and measures are due to go into effect at 18:00 local time this evening, giving airlines less than three hours’ notice. This means there could be no aircraft on their way to Holland when the ban goes into force.
The Minister said: “Flights that took off before that time may still land in the Netherlands. But after 6:00 pm no more aircraft are allowed to take off from those countries”
Although flights will be allowed to land, this short notice announcement will be a huge headache for airlines with passengers booked to fly.
How long will the ban last?
The Dutch government has specified that the ban would stay in place until at least the 26th March. They say that this extreme measure is necessary to keep people who are infected from entering the country.
Although the decision will be unwelcome for passenger airlines, Holland also says that cargo flights will not be affected. However, it also noted that it had reserved the right to add more countries to the banned list as time goes on.
Currently, there is no plan in place to repatriate Dutch citizens who may be abroad. However, the Cabinet has said it is evaluating its options. Those in Italy, for example, have been asked to use ground transportation to return home.
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