The ban on wearing face coverings applies in and around the buildings of healthcare institutions, educational institutions and government organisations and on public transport. In these places you may not wear clothing that makes your face unidentifiable.
This means, for example, that you may not enter a pharmacy or hospital wearing a full-face motorcycle helmet, or a school, town hall or train wearing a burka.
Ban applies in area around government, healthcare and school buildings
The ban on face coverings also applies in the area of land that belongs to a government building, healthcare institution or educational institution. In some cases this area may be fenced, like a school playground or the premises of a hospital. If there is no fence around the building, it might not be clear where the ban applies. If this is the case, contact the organisation in question for more information.
If there is no area surrounding the building
Some buildings do not have an outdoor area. Instead their doors open onto the street or pavement. In these cases the ban applies from the building’s entrance.
Public transport: ban applies inside vehicles only
The ban applies on public transport but only in the vehicles themselves and not at stops, on platforms or in stations.
- You are in a public building, a healthcare facility or an educational institution. A ban on face coverings applies in and around this building.
- Face coverings are items of clothing that completely cover your face or only show your eyes.
- The ban applies in this building because a public service is provided here which requires people to interact with each other. So it’s important that people can see each other’s faces and recognise each other here.
- If you continue to wear a face covering in this building, you may be told by a member of staff that this is not permitted and that you are breaking the law. You can either remove your face covering or leave the building. If you do not, the police can be called and you may be fined.
No ban at embassies and consulates
The ban on face coverings does not apply at foreign embassies and consulates in the Netherlands. It also does not apply at Dutch embassies and consulates in other countries.