Dutch nursery and primary schools are set to reopen on February 8 amid falling coronavirus infection rates, the government announced on Sunday, despite concern over new, more infectious variants of the disease.

Schools in the Netherlands have been closed since mid-December 2020 amid a second wave of infections in the lowlands nation of 17.2 million people, where almost 14,000 have now died of COVID-19. 

PvdA leader Lilianne Ploumen and PVV leader Geert Wilders seen talking during the debate in the Tweede Kamer parliament about the intended lockdown curfew on January 21, 2021 in The Hague, Netherlands. Photo: VCG

"The cabinet this afternoon decided it would be justifiable to allow children to return to daycare and primary schools on February 8," Education Minister Arie Slob said. "It's a relief that the schools can open again. For parents and teachers, but of course especially for the pupils," Slob told reporters after a cabinet meeting in The Hague.

"We will continue to monitor the situation closely, because the situation remains serious in the Netherlands," the minister added, referring to concerns over new variants such as the one from Britain, which scientists say is more contagious. But Dutch health authorities on Sunday reported 3,714 new coronavirus cases, "the lowest number in a while," with 40 deaths recorded. 

The cabinet also discusseujd the possibility of an overnight 9-4 curfew, but no decisions were announced.