News item | 6/16/2023 | 3:45 pm
The so-called A status of the COVID-19 virus will lapse. The government is therefore following the advice of the RIVM to no longer designate COVID-19 as an infectious disease belonging to group A or one of the other groups referred to in the Public Health Act. This is what Minister Kuipers of Health, Welfare and Sport writes in a letter to the House of Representatives.
Reporting obligation lapses
With the scaling down of the A status, the obligation to report positive COVID tests also lapses. This means that doctors and heads of laboratories no longer have to report positive tests to the municipal health authorities. The way of financing the executive activities of the GGDs and the GGD GHOR is also changing, such as vaccination and information provision tasks.
Monitoring and surveillance continues
Even without COVID-19 A status, it remains important to monitor the development of the virus and the pressure on healthcare. In this way, action can be taken in time in the event of a possible new upturn and/or the unexpected emergence of new variants. The monitoring of the virus continues, with the sewage surveillance and Infection Radar being important tools for tracking the circulation of the virus. Information about the development of the virus will also be updated on the Corona dashboard.
General advice remains
COVID-19 can still cause (sometimes serious) health problems in specific groups in society. It remains important to prevent the spread of respiratory viruses – such as corona – as much as possible. And thus protect people with vulnerable health. General advice on this, such as staying at home when you are ill and discussing with the employer if you have minor complaints whether you can work from home, remain in force and can be found via Rijksoverheid.nl and myquestionaboutcorona.nl.