King Willem-Alexander will make a televised address to the nation on Friday evening as the coronavirus crisis in the Netherlands deepens.

The speech will be broadcast across both public and commercial channels and can also be followed in sign language. DutchNews.nl will also follow the speech on Twitter.

The king and his family have been in social isolation since their return from their annual skiing holiday.

Five cases of coronavirus had been identified in the Austrian resort of Lech where the family were staying and the source of those infections had not been traced, hence the decision to stay home.

Meanwhile the government has announced the closure of all nursing homes to visitors in an effort to stop coronavirus taking hold and to protect staff.

Arrangements will be made to allow family members to visit people who are dying. ‘It is important to be able to say goodbye properly,’ acting health minister Hugo de Jonge said. ‘This can be organised sensibly.’

Prime minister Mark Rutte has again urged people to remember to keep their distance from others while outside. ‘I see all these groups of people in parks, having a good time or doing sport,’ he said. ‘You can do this, but keep your distance.’