Travel advisories for many countries to change colour
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will no longer issue travel advisories based solely on a country’s coronavirus situation. Instead it will once again take all security and health risks into consideration. This means that travel outside Europe will soon become easier. From 25 February, travellers arriving in the Netherlands will no longer be required to self-quarantine.
‘For the most part we are no longer basing travel advisories on countries’ coronavirus situations,’ says Dirk Jan Nieuwenhuis, Director of the Consular Affairs and Visa Policy Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. ‘Fewer countries will therefore have an orange travel advisory, and it will be possible to travel to more places.’
An exception will be made if there is a new virus variant of concern present in a country. An orange travel advisory will then still automatically be issued for that country. That means all travel there should be avoided unless strictly necessary. Travellers arriving from such a country will be required to self-quarantine once in the Netherlands.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will implement this change in steps, starting from 16 February. New travel advisories will be based in part on the information provided by Dutch embassies and consulates around the world. When issuing these advisories, all security and health risks – including coronavirus – will be taken into consideration.
Travelling within and outside Europe
Countries outside the European Union/Schengen area that had a green or yellow travel advisory before the COVID 19 pandemic will have this colour advisory again, as long as the security situation remains unchanged. From 25 February, travellers to the Netherlands will no longer be required to self-quarantine. Travellers will, however, be required to have a negative test result to enter the country.
A yellow travel advisory is currently in place for EU countries. That means there are some risks but travel there is possible. People travelling within the EU must have a Digital COVID Certificate based on proof of vaccination, proof of recovery from COVID 19 or a negative test result. This will remain the case, even if the travel advisory for EU countries changes to green. This has been agreed at European level.
Coronavirus has not gone away
The advice to travellers remains to prepare well before travelling. Coronavirus has not gone away. And measures still apply abroad. This includes mandatory testing, QR codes and face masks. Some countries are still not allowing travellers (especially tourists) to enter. If travellers happen to get COVID 19 while abroad, the local coronavirus measures in that country apply.
‘Most countries’ travel advisories will return to what they were before the pandemic,’ says Mr Nieuwenhuis. ‘We issue orange and red travel advisories to countries where there are security risks because of war, terrorist threats or natural disasters. We also take health risks into account. So be sure to read the full travel advisory before you plan your holiday, again right before your departure and again during your trip.’