National Institute for Public Health and the Environment

RIVM was founded in 1910 when the Central Laboratory for Public Health was created. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the RIVM was tasked with oversight of the disease and how the Dutch government would combat it. They RIVM instituted weekly counts of infected people within the nation's borders. The director of the Infectious Disease Control bureau, Jaap van Dissel, was charged with disease reduction efforts. By July 2021, the RIVM, which was a reference laboratory for the World Health Organization, recognized five types of COVID test technology: • the PCR test • the loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) test • the antigen test • the serological test • the breathalyzer test On 13 August 2021, government announced with RIVM approval that "From 30 August social distancing will no longer be required at secondary vocational schools (MBOs), higher professional education institutions (HBOs) and universities." ==Organisation==

The RIVM organisation consists of three domains with specific knowledge and expertise: Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology (Centre for Infectious Disease Control), Environment and Safety (including environmental incident service), Public Health and Health Services (including food and food safety). ==See also==