The National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) have stated they are well prepared for a coronavirus outbreak in the Netherlands and no new measures need to be enacted following the spread of the virus to Northern Italy.

Coronavirus in Italy

Originating in Wuhan, China, the coronavirus has swept across the world to countries in Africa, Asia, America, Oceania and Europe. More than 79.000 people have been diagnosed worldwide and over 2.600 people have died from the virus, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.

With the virus spreading to Europe, Italy has been hit the hardest by the virus. By Monday evening, 229 cases of the virus have been confirmed by the Italian Health Ministry and seven people have died. The virus has now spread to Northern Italy, which is a popular winter sports destination and hosts tens of thousands of Dutch skiers and snowboarders during the winter season.

No changes to Dutch security procedures

The outbreak of coronavirus in Northern Italy has not phased the RIVM, who insist they are prepared for a possible outbreak in the Netherlands. “We are well prepared for a possible introduction of the virus in the Netherlands. That structure stands, whether it is in China or in Italy,” said a spokesperson for the RIVM.

Regarding the spread of the virus to Northern Italy, the RIVM sees no reason to change its policies. No infections have been detected in the Netherlands, despite evacuating 15 Dutch citizens from Wuhan earlier this year. The citizens were tested multiple times on their way from China to the Netherlands and none of them showed any symptoms. Despite this, they were still quarantined for two weeks.

The RIVM and Erasmus MC in Rotterdam can determine whether someone has contracted the coronavirus by analysing throat swab samples in hospital laboratories.