Support for the government’s measures to control coronavirus is crumbling, and a significant proportion of the population would like to see the lockdown toughened up again, according to the latest I&O Research survey for broadcaster NOS.

Currently 56% of the 2,000 people polled back the government’s position, compared with 61% at the beginning of March and 75% in January.

And while a narrow majority back the relaxation of the rules which came into effect last week, 45% are not in favour.

The government is due to decide next week if the time is right to move to step two of the five point plan to reopen Dutch society again.

That should have happened this week, but health minister Hugo de Jonge said the pressure on hospitals and the healthcare system is still too great to allow any more changes.

The I&O survey found that 55% of the Dutch do not back any further relaxation of the rules at present and one in five say they should be made stricter again.