Netherlands extends ban on flights with Ecuador, other South American countries, the United Kingdom and South Africa

The prohibition is established until April 1, in an attempt to avoid the spread of the new strains of Coronavirus COVID-19.

The Dutch government extended on Thursday the prohibitions of flights between the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, South Africa and most of South America until April 1, in an attempt to avoid the spread of the new coronavirus mutations that circulate in those regions.

In a letter sent to Parliament, the Executive explained that it extends another four weeks the prohibition of air traffic with the United Kingdom, South Africa, Dominican Republic, Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia., Ecuador, French Guayana, Guyana, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Surinam, Uruguay and Venezuela.

The measure is taken on the recommendation of the Pandemia Management Team (UNWTO), which advises the acting executive for a year to take the relevant measures and stop the propagation of infection, in this case, the possible import of variants of the most contagious coronavirus than those that already circulate in the European Union (EU).

The Dutch Executive also extended until March 15 the confinement of the Netherlands and the daily curfew between 21.00 local time (20.00 GMT) and 4.30 (3.30 GMT), although it allowed since yesterday that hairdressers and other contact professions, such as massage or tattoos centers, return to receive customers with hygiene measures.

The shops, which had closed in mid -December to avoid the spread of the virus for Christmas purchases, also partially reopened yesterday, being able to receive customers only by appointment and with a capacity limit per plant, which caused some businesses to decide not to reopen because the number of people to receive did not compensate for expenses.

In addition, it also increases the pressure on the executive in functions to allow the reopening of the terraces with the beginning of good weather, which made last Tuesday several bars and restaurants rebel, opening their terraces to the public against the restrictions, although mostly they had to immediately close the threats of fines.

A study prepared by I & O Research and published on Thursday reveals that six out of ten Dutch believe that restaurant and coffee shops terraces should be able to open safely.

The debate on social support for restrictions grows as the legislative elections of March 17 are approaching, elections to which a fragmented political scenario is presented, with dozens of political parties aspiring to enter the Parliament of The Hague, and with the outgoing prime minister, the liberal Mark Rutte, seeking to be re -elected for his fourth legislature.