Rules that apply indoors and outdoors

There are no restrictions on the number of people you can receive at home each day. However, you should still follow the basic rules. You are advised to keep parties small and make sure everyone stays 1.5 metres apart.

There are no restrictions on group size. This means that you can now go somewhere or take part in an activity with more than 4 people again. This applies to all locations, both inside and outside and in the car.

Most indoor and outdoor public spaces are now open. At these locations the following rules apply:

• Everyone must stay 1.5 metres apart.
• People moving in different directions must be well separated. This also applies to the use of toilets, showers, etc. 
• The building manager must take hygiene precautions, for example providing disinfectant hand gel and handwashing facilities.
• At events and locations where people have assigned seats, the maximum number of people is equal to the number of seats available with 1.5-metre distancing. This is including children under 13, but excluding staff. This applies indoors and outdoors.
  • If a coronavirus entry pass system is used, up to two thirds of the venue’s normal capacity can be used. 
• At events and locations where there is a continuous flow of people the maximum number of people is 1 per 5 square metres. This is including children under 13, but excluding staff. This applies indoors and outdoors. It does not apply at the following locations:
  • covered car parks
  • bicycle parking facilities
  • airports
  • stations
  • bus or tram stops, or other facilities used for public transport or other commercial passenger transport.
• A health check is mandatory and visitors must be asked to register at:
  • Locations where people have an assigned seat and there is no continuous flow of people. This includes the following locations:
  • Establishments serving food and drink;
  • This does not apply to establishments serving food and drink at the following locations:
    • funeral locations
    • healthcare institutions (for patients and people visiting patients) 
    • locations for daytime groups for vulnerable people
    • airports, beyond the security checkpoints
    • locations where takeaway food and drink can be purchased for consumption elsewhere.
  • spas
  • play/game facilities, such as gaming halls and paintball venues
  • trade fair and conference venues
  • function centres
  • casinos
  • sports facilities
  • art and culture venues
  • cultural venues where people have an assigned seat, such as cinemas and theatres
  • commercial passenger transport, such as taxis. 
    • This does not apply to ferries. 
• Contact-based roles
  • This does not apply to healthcare professionals and informal carers.
  • A health check is mandatory for clients of sex workers. Asking clients to register is not mandatory.
• Events and events where a coronavirus entry pass system is in place.
  • This does not apply to events where there is a continuous flow of people. These are events where visitors generally do not have an assigned seat, such as funfairs. At events where a coronavirus entry pass system is in place, a pre-entry health check and visitor registration are mandatory. 
  • All locations (indoors and outdoors) can be used to full capacity with 1.5-metre distancing.
• From 14 August multi-day events will be permitted. People must have a valid coronavirus entry pass for the whole event.
• Events without assigned seats cannot be held.
• In the cultural sector, sports sector and events sector, if a coronavirus entry pass system is used, up to two thirds of the venue’s normal capacity can be used. In this case, people do not need to stay 1.5 metres apart, but they must still have an assigned seat.
• Spaces must be separated by solid, floor-to-ceiling walls and be separated from the corridor or hallway by a door.

Almost all locations normally open to the public are open, subject to certain conditions. The following conditions apply to all public spaces:

• Everyone must stay 1.5 metres apart.
• The building manager must take hygiene precautions, for example providing disinfectant hand gel and handwashing facilities.
• People moving in different directions must be well separated. This also applies to the use of toilets, showers, etc.
• At most locations a health check is mandatory and visitors must be asked to register. These locations are listed under ‘Spaces where people stay in 1 place’.

• All shops are open.
  • All types of shops may admit 1 customer per 5 square metres. Children under 13 are also counted as customers.
  • A person who requires assistance and the person providing that assistance count as one customer. 
  • Staff are not included.
  • Shops must take steps to prevent the premises from becoming too crowded. Strict compliance with protocols is essential.
  • If it becomes too busy or if the basic rules are not being observed the mayor is authorised to take extra measures.
• General markets are open with 1.5 metre distancing. Here too the maximum is 1 customer per 5 square metres.

All contact-based professionals may carry out their work. 

• A pre-entry health check must be carried out and clients must be asked to register. This does not apply to healthcare professionals and informal carers. A health check is mandatory for clients of sex workers. Asking clients to register is not mandatory.

Bars, restaurants and cafés

As of 10 July the following conditions apply:

• Customers must be given an assigned seat, this includes seats at the bar.
• Customers must stay 1.5 metres apart.
  • If hygiene screens are placed between tables, the tables do not need to be 1.5 metres apart.
• A health check is mandatory and customers must be asked to register. This does not apply to:
  • funeral locations
  • healthcare institutions (for patients and people visiting patients) 
  • locations for daytime groups for vulnerable people
  • airports, beyond the security checkpoints
  • locations where takeaway food and drink can be purchased for consumption elsewhere.
• All establishments serving food and drink can be used to full capacity with 1.5-metre distancing, both indoors and outdoors.
• Entertainment, including live performances and TV screens, is not permitted. Loud music may not be played.
• Opening hours for restaurants, cafés and bars are restricted to between 06.00 and 00.00. Establishments may remain open for takeaway after 00.00, but food and drink may not be consumed on the premises.

• Sports locations are open again under certain conditions. See the section ‘Sport and recreation’.

Cultural venues are open. Certain conditions apply: 

• At cultural venues like theatres, cinemas and concert halls, where people are usually seated and do not move around during their visit, the maximum number of people is equal to the number of seats available with 1.5-metre distancing. People must be assigned a seat. This applies both indoors and outdoors.
  • If a coronavirus entry pass system is used, up to two thirds of the venue’s normal capacity can be used. In this case, visitors do not need to stay 1.5 metres apart.
  • A health check is mandatory and visitors must be asked to register.

• At locations where there is a continuous flow of people, such as at museums, cultural heritage sites and libraries, the maximum number of visitors is 1 per 5 square metres. An assigned seat is not mandatory.

  • If a coronavirus entry pass system is used, the venue’s normal capacity can be used. In this case, visitors do not need to stay 1.5 metres apart.

Locations for artistic and cultural activities 

• Locations for artistic and cultural activities, like music schools, can be used to full capacity with 1.5-metre distancing.

• A health check is mandatory and visitors must be asked to register.
• People do not have to stay 1.5 metres apart while participating in the activity if the nature of the activity makes this impossible. 
• Audiences are permitted during lessons and rehearsals. For this purpose locations can be used to full capacity, with 1.5-metre distancing. Those participating in the activity are included when calculating full capacity. Members of the audience must have an assigned seat.

Leisure locations

Leisure locations, such as amusement parks, are open. As of 26 June almost all restrictions have been lifted. Certain conditions still apply: 

• At locations where people have an assigned seat and there is no continuous flow of people, the maximum number of people is equal to the number of seats available with 1.5-metre distancing. This applies indoors and outdoors. 
  • If a coronavirus entry pass system is used, up to two thirds of the venue’s normal capacity can be used. In this case people do not need to stay 1.5 metres apart, but they must still have an assigned seat.
• At locations where there is a continuous flow of people the maximum number of people is 1 per 5 square metres, with 1.5-metre distancing. This applies indoors and outdoors.
• A health check is mandatory and visitors must be asked to register at locations where visitors generally have a fixed seat, such as casinos, spas and play/gaming facilities.

As of 10 July the coronavirus entry pass scheme has been suspended for this sector. This means nightclubs and other dance venues have to close again from 10 July.

• As of 26 June the ban on drinking alcohol or having it on your person in public spaces after 22.00 no longer applies.
• Collections from cannabis cafés after 22.00 are also permitted again.

Singing in a group indoors is permitted. Wind instrument players are no longer advised to stay 2 metres apart. The 1.5 metre rule still applies, unless the nature of the activity makes this impossible. 

• Ventilation indoors must meet the requirements set out in the Buildings Decree and be suited to the purpose of the room so that the air is refreshed often enough.
• Fans are permitted for personal use. Fans should only be used in communal areas if no other form of cooling is available. Make sure that air from a fan does not flow directly from one person to another.

• Teachers and support staff who have health issues or who fall into one of the at-risk groups identified by the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) (aged over 70 or with underlying health conditions) cannot be ordered to teach in-person classes. Similarly, childcare staff in this category cannot be ordered to work with children at a childcare centre. They can work at home.
• The measures that apply to educational institutions also apply to other locations where educational activities are organised.
• Lessons at all educational levels may be taught at external locations. 
• Whether or not students can complete a work placement or internship depends on the sector/branch where they are doing their work placement. If companies in the sector/branch are allowed to continue their operations, the work placement/internship can also continue.
• For childcare, primary education and secondary education, the additional measures from the generic frameworks regarding contact restriction no longer apply as of June 26. Other parts of the generic framework will remain in place.
• Schools can once again organise school camps, musicals and certificate award ceremonies. The basic rules apply.

Primary schools and daycare

• Primary schools, schools for special education and daycare centres for children under 4 are fully open. This also applies to childminders who look after children under 13. 
  • There are special rules for testing children for coronavirus.
  • Guidelines have been drawn up to help schools and childcare providers reduce the risk of outbreaks.
  • Staff can take a self-test at home twice a week as a precaution.
• Out-of-school care (BSO) is open. 
  • Additional measures are in place to reduce the risk of outbreaks.

Secondary schools, including special secondary schools

• Secondary schools are open. Pupils do not need to stay 1.5 metres apart and whole classes can attend in-person lessons at the same time. Pupils must stay 1.5 metres away from staff. All other coronavirus measures for secondary schools still apply. Pupils and staff can take a self-test at home twice a week as a precaution. At schools and institutions a facemask must be worn in the corridor and when moving around. It can be taken off once the person is seated or standing at their allocated place.

Secondary vocational education (MBO)

• Secondary vocational schools (MBO) are open. In principle every student should be able to attend in-person lessons 1 day per week.
• Measures were relaxed on the condition that the 1.5 metre distancing rule can be adhered to inside buildings and that the arrangements made with national and regional public transport operators on spreading passengers across the day allow for larger numbers of students to travel safely.
• During practical training for jobs in which it is not possible to stay 1.5 metres apart, this rule does not need to be followed if closer contact is necessary for the purposes of the training.

Higher professional education (HBO) and universities (WO)

• Higher professional education institutions (HBO) and universities are partially open. In principle each student can attend in-person classes one day per week, under certain conditions.
• Exams, practical training and support for vulnerable students can be offered on site.
• Students and staff must stay 1.5 metres apart at all times in and around the institution’s buildings. This also applies to students who are not yet 18. During practical training for jobs in which it is not possible to stay 1.5 metres apart, this rule does not need to be followed.

Certain conditions apply:

• Sport locations can be used to full capacity, with 1.5-metre distancing.
• A health check is mandatory and people must be asked to register.
• People participating in sports do not have to stay 1.5 metres apart if the nature of the sport makes this impossible.
• Amateur matches and competitions are permitted. Everyone can play matches against other clubs. This was already possible for under 18s but it now also applies to those aged 18 and over. 
• Spectators are permitted at amateur matches, competitions and practice sessions. This also applies to professional sports events. The venue may be used to full capacity, with 1.5-metre distancing. An assigned seat is mandatory.
  • If a coronavirus entry pass system is used for professional matches and competitions, up to two thirds of the venue’s normal capacity can be used. In this case spectators do not need to stay 1.5 metres apart, but they must still have an assigned seat.
• The rules for restaurants, cafés and bars apply to sports canteens and clubhouses.

People are urgently advised to avoid crowds while travelling and to travel outside peak hours. If possible, do not travel between 06.30 and 09.00 or between 16.00 and 18.30. This applies to all forms of transport.

Passengers aged 13 and over must wear a face mask for general use on public transport, in stations (including shops at stations), on platforms and at bus and tram stops. The fine for passengers not wearing a face mask is €95.

• For commercial transport, such as taxis, passenger vans and coaches, passengers must undergo a pre-travel health check and reserve a seat in advance. Face masks for general use must also be worn by all passengers aged 13 and over, including in stations and at stops. If there are other passengers on board you may be fined if you do not wear a face mask.
• A pre-entry health check is required when travelling by taxi, and passengers must book in advance. Passengers aged 13 and over are required to wear a face mask for general use. If there are 2 or more passengers in the taxi you may be fined if you do not wear a face mask. There are no restrictions regarding occupancy.
• A pre-entry health check is required when travelling by passenger van or coach, and passengers must book their seats in advance. All passengers aged 13 and over must wear a face mask for general use. If there are 3 or more people on board, you may be fined if you do not wear a face mask. There are no restrictions regarding occupancy.