Dutch primary schools will start to reopen on May 11 but other measures to stem the spread of the coronavirus pandemic will remain, AFP quoted Prime Minister Mark Rutte as saying on Tuesday.

Following a month-long closure, pupils will be allowed back on a “part time” basis at primary schools and nurseries, Rutte told a press conference after a cabinet meeting on the measures.

The Netherlands, which has opted for what Rutte calls an “intelligent lockdown”, is following the lead of Germany and some Scandinavian nations on slowly reopening schools.

“These are difficult considerations, but caution is better than regrets afterwards,” Rutte said.

The closure of restaurants, cafes and sex clubs was extended by three weeks from April 28 until May 19, Rutte said. Cannabis cafes that were originally shut in March have been allowed to serve take-away patrons.