RIVM virus labs in Bilthoven may have to close
The landlord of the Science Park site says it can no longer justify keeping the labs open because of the risk of an outbreak, but the institute says the buildings are safe and talks are under way.
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Illustrative photo: Choinowski / CC BY-SA 4.0
The ageing virus research laboratories of the RIVM at the Science Park in Bilthoven may have to close. Stichting ALt, the landlord, says it can no longer justify keeping them open because of the risk of an outbreak. A move to the new building is not yet in sight.
About 4,000 people work at the site. A RIVM spokesperson says an outbreak is unlikely. "At the moment the buildings are safe, and we've no reason to believe there could be an outbreak," he said.
Safety is the top priority, the spokesperson said, both for staff and for the surrounding area. The RIVM and the landlord are in talks about how to proceed, and he said he is hopeful they will find a solution together.
The spokesperson said that if no agreement is reached, a new temporary lab would have to be found. "That's a scenario we'd look at then," he said. He added that moving a laboratory is not quick: it needs extensive planning to make sure everything works.
The RIVM has been in Bilthoven since 1953. It was due to move to a new building at the Science Park, but technical problems have delayed the move for years. According to the spokesperson, the lease in Bilthoven runs until the end of next year.
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