Dutch PM Rutte: coronavirus will spread, we must stick together

A large portion of the Dutch population will contract coronavirus in coming months, Dutch Prime Minister Mark cautioned on Monday, appealing to the country to pull together through difficult times ahead.

The Dutch government will do all it can to protect the vulnerable and support the economy, but it is imperative that people help each other, Rutte said in a rare live television address from his office in The Hague.

"The reality is a great number of the Dutch population will get sick, that is what experts tell us," he said, "It will be a difficult time, but together we will pull through."