Dutch PM shakes hand with health expert, moments after telling citizens not to shake hands...

Publish Date
Wednesday, 11 March 2020, 2:37PM

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte called on citizens of the Netherlands to stop shaking hands to prevent spreading the coronavirus and then - oops - 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 Netherlands.

"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 press conference, he shook hands with Jaap van Dissel of the Public Health Institute, who quickly pointed out the premier's error.

"Sorry, sorry, we can't do that anymore! Do it again!" Rutte said as he bumped elbows with Van Dissel.

What Rutte truly forgot to do was to suggest the best technique to stop the handshaking! Using the coast 'Shoeshake' Instead! 

 

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