The UK and the Netherlands are have performed approximately the same number of tests per capita. The response seems pretty similar in both countries in that un

The UK and the Netherlands are have performed approximately the same number of tests per capita. The response seems pretty similar in both countries in that until a few weeks ago, you didn't get tested unless you had BOTH symptoms AND relevant history (travel or contact with known cases). In the UK, there is additionally a system of surveillance testing that is being used to ensure our model of infections is in line with reality. Due to the increasing size of the outbreak, the UK switched a week ago to testing all ICU patients with symptoms irrespective of history. That is again soon to be ramped up to all ICU patients and any hospital patients with symptoms. To handle the increased testing, some NHS labs are going to be running covid tests, which means the waiting time for other testing is inevitably going to increase. This is why it's important to only test as scientifically appropriate. This optimal response may differ between countries, depending on their particulars. All that said, the UK response so far seems fairly appropriate. We've tested in line or more than any other country with a similar level of outbreak. There is, however, a general acceptance here that widespread infection is now inevitable, and the reason you don't want to impose quarantines just yet is you want to do it when they're going to be most effective at smoothing the peak. Imposing quarantine controls now just means that people are going to start breaking quarantine later on when it's more widespread and compliance is most critical. The reality is, containment is just a delaying strategy now. This is inevitably going to spread widely, and the governments are just trying to time when best to deploy their limited arsenal of weapons.