Dutch PM Accidentally Breaks His Own Coronavirus Advice In Embarrassing Handshake

Updated: See the latest stories on the coronavirus outbreak.

The Dutch prime minister managed to undermine his own message about new measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19 just moments after making a public announcement.

Mark Rutte called on citizens of the Netherlands to stop shaking hands at a press conference on Tuesday.

 

The Dutch PM shook hands with the Head of Infectious Diseases Jaap van Dissel of the Public Health Institute, at The Hague.

 

But after making the remarks, he turned and shook hands with the head of the infectious diseases department of the national public health institute.

“From this moment on, we stop shaking hands,” Rutte said at a news conference following a crisis meeting of government ministers to discuss the virus, which has killed three people and infected 321 in the country.

“You can do a foot kiss, bump elbows, whatever you want,” he said.

“I see all kinds of great variations on shaking hands emerging at schools, but from today we stop shaking hands.”

As he wrapped up the news conference, he shook hands with Jaap van Dissel of the public health institute, who quickly pointed out the prime minister’s error.

“Sorry, sorry, we can’t do that anymore! Do it again,” Rutte said as he bumped elbows with van Dissel.