Dutch Official: Nursing Home Visit Ban Due to Infection Risk, Not Loneliness

A former top official has testified that the Dutch government prioritized protecting hospital patients and staff over nursing home residents during the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. Ernst van Koesveld, former director-general of Long-Term Care at the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS), explained the rationale behind the March 2020 decision to ban visits to nursing homes. He stated that the perceived risk of infection for residents from visiting family members was considered greater than the risk of loneliness. This decision led to distress for many residents and their families, with some relatives holding banners outside windows and struggling to say goodbye to dying parents. Van Koesveld acknowledged that an exception was made for final goodbyes to parents or partners, and efforts were made to facilitate these moments. However, the testimony also highlighted a critical shortage of protective equipment, such as masks and gowns, in nursing homes. While hospitals were prioritized for these supplies, nursing homes received insufficient amounts, putting both staff and residents at risk. Emails revealed that then-Minister Hugo de Jonge expressed concern about the distribution and availability of protective gear in nursing homes, stating he had "no good feeling about it" and "no visibility" on the supplies. Van Koesveld denied that the visit ban was a direct consequence of the lack of protective equipment, but acknowledged the speed at which the virus spread in March 2020 overwhelmed the system.

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But the danger for the residents of infection via family, we considered greater than the danger of loneliness at that moment.