Coronavirus: Dutch PM did not visit dying mother until her final night because of lockdown restrictions

He complied with restrictions in place over the virus, spokesperson says

The Dutch prime minister did not see his mother for two months until the night she died because of measures aimed at stopping the spread of Covid-19.

Mark Rutte "complied with all the coronavirus restrictions", his spokesperson told The Independent, adding the PM "did not visit his mother for more than eight weeks".

"However, the restriction measures leave room to say goodbye to a dying family member during the very last phase," the prime minister's spokesperson added.

Therefore, Mr Rutte was allowed to stay with his mother on her last night.

Reports emerged the PM had not been able to visit her in her care home for weeks because of Covid-19 restrictions after he announced her death.

Mr Rutte said on Monday his mother had died aged 96 in mid May.

"My family and I are grateful to have had her with us for so long," he said in a statement without mentioning the cause of her death.

The news comes amid a controversy in the UK over a senior government aide and his family travelling around 250 miles during lockdown.

Dominic Cummings, the chief advisor to Boris Johnson, said they made the journey from London to Durham to be close to childcare in case he and his wife became too ill to look after their four-year-old.

The Netherlands has started easing its lockdown measures over coronavirus after implementing more relaxed restrictions than some of its European neighbours.

Mark Rutte (EPA)

Homes for the elderly, where infection rates have been relatively high, will allow visitors from the start of June.

Public transport will also resume regular schedules, with non-medical face masks compulsory for anyone aged over 13. Only essential travel will be allowed and less than half of seats will be available.

Cafes and restaurants will be permitted to open on 1 June, with a maximum of 30 guests, the Dutch prime minister has said.

Social distancing must continue, with people must keep 1.5 metres away from others - unless they belong to the same household.

More than 45,400 people have been infected with coronavirus in the Netherlands to date.

Meanwhile, the death toll stood at 5,830 on Tuesday.