The Dutch government is planning to extend the deadline for lifting social distancing measures because of coronavirus, sources in The Hague told Dutch news outlets on Monday.

Ministers are due to announce tomorrow if the closure of cafés, restaurants and schools should be continued and, sources say, the deadline will be stretched beyond the current April 6 deadline.

Ministers and health experts will meet on Tuesday to discuss the current situation in the Netherlands and prime minister Mark Rutte will hold a press conference tomorrow evening to explain what decisions have been taken.

It is not yet clear if any new restrictions will be imposed.

Efforts to encourage people stay home appear to have been working over the weekend, according to the police. A few dozen people were fined for breaking the rules on social distancing but most obeyed the 1.5 metre distance restriction, police said in a statement.