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AMSTERDAM — The Dutch government on Monday said it would strengthen an existing ban on public gatherings and extend it until June 1 as the Netherlands grapples with the coronavirus outbreak.

Previously, gatherings of more than 100 people had been banned until April 6, and all gatherings had been discouraged.

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Justice Minister Ferd Grapperhaus said police would now be given the power to break up groups of more than three people in public and levy “heavy fines” if necessary to enforce the ban. (Reporting by Toby Sterling Editing by Chris Reese)