Thursday, 25 June 2020
Today,
NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoană delivered a virtual address to the
7th Czech National Security Conference, organised by the Jagello
2000 association. The subject of the conference reads: "Our Security
Cannot Be Taken for Granted". In the address, he commended the Czech
Republic for its generous support to Allies during the COVID 19 pandemic,
including with donations of medical equipment to Italy, Spain, and North
Macedonia. He also thanked the Czech Republic for its continued commitment to
NATO deployments from Afghanistan to Iraq, and to the Alliance’s multinational
battlegroups. Mr. Geoană said that NATO Allies need to ensure that the health
and economic downturn caused by the COVID 19 pandemic “does not become a
security crisis”. NATO solidarity is what will help to overcome the crisis and
to stand ready to respond to possible new waves in the spread of the virus. The
Deputy Secretary General reiterated that NATO has to remain ready to defend all
its allies against any threat, today and tomorrow. He stressed that cyber
threats and disinformation are on the rise, while at the same time other risks
that existed before the pandemic have not disappeared. “Around the world,
terrorism continues, authoritarian regimes challenge liberal democracies,
nuclear weapons are proliferating. The security situation in Afghanistan and
Iraq remains fragile. And we see a continued pace of Russian military
activity”, he said. Mr. Geoana stressed that “NATO’s job is to remain ready to
defend all Allies against any threat” and that in order “to adapt our policies
and strategies, we have to continue to invest in our armed forces and in modern
military capabilities”.
Last
night, the Dutch government published a new announcement for the Coronavirus
precautionary measures valid for the Netherlands as of 01 July, now moving to
less restrictive rules. The most important remaining restrictions effective 01
July are:
·
Stay
1.5 metres away from individuals not part of your household.
·
For
indoors gatherings, the maximum number of people in one space is limited to 100
(not counting staff). Everyone must have their own seat.
·
For
outdoor gatherings, no more than 250 people (not counting staff) can be
present. In outdoor seating areas at restaurants, cafés and bars guests must
have their own seat.
·
In
shops, museums, libraries and other indoor settings, and at zoos, theme parks
and other outdoor locations where visitors move through the space, the rule is
that people must stay 1.5 metres apart. Here, no maximum number of people
applies.
·
Non-medical
face masks must be worn on public transport. Passengers can now use all seats
on buses, trains, trams and metros.
·
For
other shared forms of transport, such as taxis, passenger vans and coaches,
passengers must reserve and must undergo a pre-travel health check. Non-medical
face masks must also be worn.
·
Children
aged 12 and under do not have to stay 1.5 metres away from other children or
adults.
·
Teenagers
aged 17 and under do not have to stay 1.5 metres away from others under 18.
·
Secondary
schools will re-open fully after the summer holidays. Students and staff must
still stay 1.5 metres apart.
For
the complete announcement, please see the following link:
https://www.government.nl/latest/news/2020/06/24/from-1-july-staying-1.5-metres-apart-remains-the-norm