Dutch PM Mark Rutte Bans Handshakes to Curb Coronavirus Spread

During a Monday evening press conference on the coronavirus, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte announced a key new measure to contain the outbreak.

“In addition to thorough hand washing and sneezing or coughing into your elbow, we’re introducing another step: from now on, no more shaking hands in the Netherlands.”

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'It concerns us all'

Rutte rallied all 17 million Dutch citizens to join the effort, stressing shared responsibility. “It’s not just for the government, RIVM, or the Minister of Medical Care—it concerns every one of us.”

Actions

In Brabant, measures from last Friday are extended until March 17. These include:

• Stay home with mild symptoms like acute respiratory issues (sneezing, coughing) plus fever, per RIVM’s Jaap van Dissel. Contact your GP only if they worsen.
• Employers should enable remote work and stagger shifts.

About 40 percent of infections are in Brabant.

More information at RIVM.nl.