MPs will today debate the government’s plans to allow companies and cafes to introduce the so-called 2G system, so that only people who have either been fully vaccinated or recently had coronavirus would be admitted.

The current ‘partial lockdown’, which came into effect on Saturday, is supposed to suppress the rise in new coronavirus cases ahead of the wider use of coronavirus passes and introduction of the 2G system on a voluntary basis.

The new measure would require a change in the law, and although preparations have begun, it is unclear if there is majority support in parliament for the move.

ChristenUnie, for example, which is one of the current coalition partners, has said it backs a 1G system, in which only people who have been tested are granted entry to events. The party is highly critical of excluding people who have not been vaccinated.

At the same time, the opposition Labour party (PvdA) is open to the idea of 2G, but has not reached a firm conclusion.

‘I want to keep an open mind,’ MP Aatje Kuiken told the Volkskrant. ‘But I don’t see us introducing 2G in essential shops and services, such as supermarkets, government buildings and at work.’

The debate will start at 3pm.

Education

Meanwhile, universities and colleges, who have been forced to limit numbers in lecture theatres to 75 again since Monday, say they are against the introduction of coronavirus passes in higher education.

You cannot deny access to education to students on the basis of their vaccination status, the university association VNSU is quoted as saying by the NRC.

The education ministry says the move would be a ‘last resort’. Some 90% of students are vaccinated, according to student union LSVB.

Throughout the EU countries are wrestling with the rise in coronavirus cases, even in countries with a high vaccination rate.

In Germany, the 2G system has operated in some states and it was introduced throughout Austria last week. Austria has also introduced a lockdown for people who have not been vaccinated.