Holland, a month of hard lockdown under the holidays. Museums closed again: it's a tough one

The Netherlands enters a hard lockdown from today, Dec. 19, 2021, and until Jan. 14, 2022: everything closed in the Netherlands due to concerns about the Omicron variant of the Sars-Cov-2 virus. The government, admitting that “the Omicron variant is relatively new and many elements are therefore uncertain,” says that “the measures in place are not sufficient to ensure that the pressure on hospitals and nursing homes remains manageable.” Currently, the Netherlands is reporting a 7-day average of about 14,000 new cases of Covid-19 infections (down from the end of November, when it had risen to more than 20.000), but the problem is the pressure on hospitals, because as of today, the occupancy of intensive care units in the country is at 57.8 percent of total capacity, and although the numbers are again the curve is marking a decline (as is that of hospital admissions), the government wants to avoid risks. As a result, all but essential activities will remain closed for nearly a month.

The government has instructed the public to stay indoors as much as possible, avoid crowded places, and maintain the 1.5-meter spacing. In addition, throughout the lockdown period it is made mandatory not to receive more than two people in the house (the limit rises to four for Dec. 24, 25, 26 and 31 and Jan. 1) and not to visit more than one family per day. In addition, more than two people will be prohibited from going outdoors (except for households living under one roof). Schools will be closed until Jan. 9, restaurants and bars will be closed (which will only be allowed to do take-out), stores except essential ones (and essential ones, such as supermarkets and pharmacies, can only open until 8 p.m.), hairdressers, beauty salons, indoor sports facilities (only open-air sports will be allowed, with one exception: swimming classes, which will be allowed to continue operating). Professional sports events will be held without an audience. And of course closure for the entire cultural sector: stop to museums, cinemas, theaters, concert halls. Only libraries will remain open.

For the theater and cinema sector, it is another problem in addition to those caused two weeks ago by the evening blockade (i.e., 5 p.m. closure for the performing arts sector). “For us,” Boris van der Ham, president of the Vereniging van Vrije Theaterproducenten (Association of Independent Theater Producers), told the AD newspaper, “the biggest blow was two weeks ago when the evening blockade was announced. Most shows are held in the evening, so the theater sector is already closed, with a few exceptions.” Shows cannot be moved to the afternoon “because, of course, most people are working,” and so, quite simply, the theaters are giving up their programming.

On the museum front, the first reaction is from Museum Vereniging, the association of Dutch museums. “Of course we recognize the seriousness of the situation and know the position of our sector in this pandemic,” the association says in a note. “However, we attach great importance to the prospect of reopening and phasing out these restrictive measures on coronavirus as soon as possible. The Minister of Education, Culture and Science promised in dialogue with us today that supportive measures will allow us to ’breathe’ during this mandatory closure of all museums. Precise information on new emergency support, including an integration program, will be announced in the coming week. We remain committed to providing adequate support packages for all museums, regardless of size, collection type, location or funding method.”

However, admits Museum Vereniging, the new lockdown “is a blow to all of us: museums have been forced to close for the fourth time since the pandemic began in 2020. At the same time, we have to prepare for the time when museums can reopen. So that we can once again offer people a safe and relaxed visit. We will also have to get through this period together. Therefore, especially in the run-up to the vacations, take care of yourself and others. And in the meantime, let’s inspire and distract the public with all the wonderful offers online. To hopefully get them physically at the museum again soon.”

Pictured: the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. Photo by Jan Kees Steenman

Holland, a month of hard lockdown under the holidays. Museums closed again: it's a tough one

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