Measures announced

Find out which measures apply at present. 

Current measures extended until 25 September inclusive

The government has decided to extend the measures until 25 September.

Support measures

The government has agreed to provide financial relief to nightlife venues if they are still closed after 1 October 2021 because of the coronavirus measures. It is therefore working out a scheme for the sector for the fourth quarter, similar to the Fixed Costs Grant Scheme (TVL). Because the 75% capacity limit for indoor events without assigned seats also affects activities such as concerts, the options for compensating this group are currently being explored.

The details of these support measures will be announced as soon as possible.

Coronavirus entry passes

From 25 September, everyone aged 13 and over will need to show a coronavirus entry pass at bars and restaurants (except takeaways), at events (such as festivals and watching professional sports matches) and cultural performances and showings (such as at cinemas and theatres). This will apply both indoors and outdoors, with and without assigned seats. Everyone aged 14 and over will also have to show their ID along with their coronavirus entry pass.

All food and drink venues must be closed between midnight and 06.00.

All events can now take place with coronavirus entry passes. For events held outdoors, or indoors with assigned seats, there is no maximum number of visitors and no mandatory closing time. For indoor events without assigned seats a 75% capacity maximum applies and the venue must be closed between midnight and 06.00.

Capacity limit for nightlife venues and events without assigned seats

The government is working on support measures for nightlife venues and events without assigned seats. The details will be announced as soon as possible.

You can get a coronavirus entry pass if you are fully vaccinated, have valid proof of recovery or a negative result from a coronavirus test taken less than 24 hours before entry. For people without proof of vaccination or recovery, getting tested will remain free of charge.

Exceptions to the coronavirus entry pass requirement

You do not have to show a coronavirus entry pass to gain admission to certain locations or events. The exceptions are:

Hospitality venues:

• Specific areas where food and drink are served in funeral homes, hospitality venues in the airside section of airports, roadside restaurants and gas stations along motorways, dining cars on international trains.
• Outdoor seating areas of bars and restaurants.
• Hotels, holiday cottages and campgrounds. You must however show a coronavirus entry pass for admission to food and drink venues at these accommodations.
• Community centres and similar locations, during structured daytime activities organised for vulnerable groups.
• Takeaway restaurants. The exception does not apply to restaurants that offer both takeaway and in-house dining.

The following locations and events:

• funerals
• markets
• locations with a continuous flow of people, such as museums, shops and certain areas in amusement parks
• events where there is a continuous flow of people, such as fairs and exhibitions
• libraries
• daytime activities in community centres.
   

Coronavirus entry passes at sports events

The following rules apply to coronavirus entry passes at sports events, such as a marathon or cycling event:

• Participants in sports events do not need to show a coronavirus entry pass.
• If the event is in an enclosed area with entry checks, spectators will have to show a coronavirus entry pass.
• If an event takes place outdoors as well as in an enclosed space, such as a marathon, the local authorities will decide whether spectators must show a coronavirus entry pass. For example, they may decide that coronavirus entry passes are required for the spectators pavilion at the start and finish, but not along the route.

Rules for education

Primary schools

• Primary schools (including special primary schools) are open.
• If a pupil tests positive for coronavirus it will no longer be mandatory for the entire class to self-quarantine. If there are several cases in the same class or group, the municipal health service (GGD) may advise self-quarantining for everyone in the class or group.
• The general 1.5-metre distancing rule is being lifted on 25 September. This also applies to school staff.
• Staff who do not have adequate immunity against COVID-19 are advised to do a self-test twice a week.

Secondary schools

• Secondary schools (including special secondary schools) are open.
• From 25 September pupils and staff at secondary schools no longer have to wear a face mask.
• The 1.5-metre distancing rule between staff and between pupils and staff will also be lifted on that date.
• Pupils and staff who do not have adequate immunity against COVID-19 are advised to do a self-test twice a week.

Secondary vocational education (MBO), higher professional education (HBO) and universities (WO)

• All educational institutions are open. After timetables are modified, students will be able to attend all lessons in person again.
• The maximum of 75 students in a space no longer applies.
• Face masks are no longer required.
• Students and staff who do not have adequate immunity are advised to do a self-test twice a week.

Basic rules for preventing the spread of coronavirus

Basic rules remain in place

Many measures have been lifted and we have got many of our freedoms back. But the virus has not gone away. It’s still important to keep following the basic rules, even if you’re fully vaccinated. Staying 1.5 metres from others is no longer mandatory, but is now an urgent advice. As long as the virus is circulating, giving each other space is common sense, and 1.5 metres is a safe distance that’s proven to help prevent transmission of the virus. Just like the other basic rules: washing hands, coughing and sneezing into your elbow, not shaking hands, staying home and getting tested by the GGD if you have symptoms, and ensuring a good flow of fresh air indoors.

The advice to work from home unless that is impossible is being modified. The advice is now: work from home if you can, and go to the office if you must. It’s up to employers and employees to make satisfactory arrangements on hours worked at home and at the office.

Ensure a good flow of fresh air

A good flow of fresh air is important. It helps to limit the spread of the virus. Ensure that rooms are ventilated regularly at home, in shops, in bars and restaurants, at school and at work.

• Always make sure there is a window or air vent open.
• Air your home several times a day by opening windows and doors wide.
• Check how good the ventilation is in your home.
• In shops, restaurants and bars, at school, at work and other places where there are a lot of people, keep windows open. Or make sure that the ventilation system is set so that enough outdoor air flows into the building.

Face masks on public transport

Face masks are still mandatory in airports (in any case the airside area and any other locations designated by airport management, such as arrival and departure halls), on aircraft, trains, buses, trams and metros, in taxis and on other commercial passenger transport. Face masks no longer need to be worn in train stations and at bus, tram and metro stops.

Travel

The rules on self-quarantining for people travelling to the Netherlands will change as of 22 September. Vaccinated travellers from the United States, the United Kingdom and other very high-risk areas no longer have to self-quarantine on arrival in the Netherlands. Prepare your journey well. Before you leave, check the travel advice on wijsopreis.nl (in Dutch)  and reizentijdenscorona.nl/en.

Lifting the 1.5 metre rule in the rest of society

The government plans to lift the 1.5 metre rule across the rest of society from 25 September. Most other restrictions will probably be lifted at the same time.

Whether the plans to lift these measures can go ahead depends on the epidemiological situation. The government will ask the Operational Management Team (OMT) to issue another advisory opinion before taking this step. The number of people who have been fully vaccinated will be decisive in this regard.

As a mitigating measure, the government is considering introducing a coronavirus entry pass system for settings with a higher risk of transmission. It will make a decision on the exact conditions on 14 September.

Coronavirus strategy for autumn 2021

Currently, in mid-September 2021, around 80% of all adults in the Netherlands have been fully vaccinated. This means that many people are well protected against severe COVID-19. But there is still a part of the population that is not protected because they have not been vaccinated, because they cannot be vaccinated, or because the vaccine does not work properly for them.

The Delta variant of the virus is highly infectious. People who have not yet built up protection will likely become infected in the coming period. And some of those will end up in hospital or even in the ICU. If that happens the healthcare system could become overburdened again. So the government will remain alert and work towards the highest possible vaccination coverage.

A specific group of people with a severe immune system disorder will be invited for a third vaccine dose. This will keep the number of people who become ill from the virus to a minimum and prevent spikes in the number of infections. The government believes in an open society and tries to minimise the impact of the COVID measures on people’s social and economic wellbeing. If it proves necessary to intervene, the government will not opt for generic measures, but measures that are as specific as possible for the situation that has arisen.