Rules that apply indoors and outdoors

At home, whether indoors or outdoors, you may receive no more than 1 group of 3 visitors a day. This does not include children under 13. Everyone must observe the hygiene rules and be able to stay 1.5 metres apart at all times.

If a gathering causes a nuisance or poses a risk to public health, the authorities can take action.

Outside the home

Outside homes, no more than 4 people or 1 household can go somewhere or do something together, not counting children under 13.

This applies to all areas that are accessible to the public, indoors and outdoors. This means that you can go to the cinema, the beach or the train station as part of 1 household or with a maximum of 3 other people.

Exceptions to the rule for groups

• Demonstrations, gatherings and meetings as referred to in the Public Assemblies Act
• People gathering to practise a religion or belief

• Funerals (up to 100 guests)
• Weddings (maximum of 30 people)

• People taking part in theatre, dance or sport, or performing music as a cultural activity
• Professions, businesses or associations (maximum of 100 people)

• Elite athletes with a status at a designated location, and footballers in the Eredivisie and Eerste Divisie.
• Team sports for children (no matches or competitions).
• Public transport and commercial passenger transport
• Carers
• A gathering taking place under the auspices of a judge or a public prosecutor
• People whose occupation requires them to work in groups, such as investigating officers, healthcare workers, childcare staff, firefighters, staff working in the criminal justice or asylum system, etc.
• People forming a group for the purposes of carrying out community service orders.
• Meetings of the States General, a municipal council, provincial council, general board of a water authority or related committees
• Meetings of international organisations or treaty parties.

Rules for indoor spaces (besides homes)

A maximum of 30 people is permitted at indoor seated venues, such as a theatre, where people mainly stay in 1 place. Everyone must make a reservation and stay in their assigned seat. People should not circulate. And of course everyone must stay 1.5 metres apart at all times.

The following rules apply to indoor spaces that are not private homes:

• A maximum of 30 people, including children but not staff, is permitted, provided everyone can keep 1.5 metres apart. People moving in different directions must be well separated. Pre-entry health checks must be carried out.
• Reservations are mandatory for entertainment and leisure venues like cinemas, as well as for conventions and trade fairs. A group reservation may only be for members of 1 household or for a maximum of 4 people.

Exceptions to the rules for indoor gatherings

The upper limit of 30 people in indoor spaces does not apply in the following cases:

• Demonstrations, gatherings and meetings as referred to in the Public Assemblies Act
• People gathering to practise a religion or belief
• Funerals (up to 100 guests)
• Educational institutions, training institutions and childcare centres
• Healthcare institutions

• Public transport and commercial passenger transport (but not pleasure boats)
• Buildings used for organised activities for children under 18, including scouts, cultural activities, sports and arts
• Airports

• Locations where there is a continuous flow of people, like shops, markets, museums and amusement parks
• Hotel guests

• Businesses and other organisations for daily operations, provided there are no more than 100 people per indoor space
• A gathering taking place under the auspices of a judge or a public prosecutor
• Meetings of the States General or of a related committee (in the relevant safety region), or meetings of a municipal council, provincial council and general board of a water authority, or of a committee set up by one of these bodies, and other gatherings required by law   
• Elections
• Meetings of international organisations established on the territory of the Kingdom, or of a party to a treaty to which the Kingdom is also a party

The local authorities will agree limits with the management teams of locations where there is a continuous flow of people, such as museums and zoos. This does not apply to markets and shops.

Managers of shops, libraries and museums should take measures to prevent the location becoming too crowded. The following rules also apply:

• Retail stores must close no later than 20.00. There will be no late-night shopping. Grocery stores may stay open later.
• No alcohol may be sold or delivered between 20.00 and 07.00.
• Locations must take steps to prevent the premises from becoming too crowded. Strict compliance with the protocols is essential. If necessary, protocols will be tightened up. If it becomes too busy or if the basic rules are not being observed, the premises can be partly or completely closed by order of the head of the safety region.
• Supermarkets must offer special shopping times when they are open only for older customers and those in at-risk groups.
• Museums, zoos, amusement parks and other leisure venues can reopen. Visitors must reserve a time slot.
  • Reservations are mandatory. A group reservation may only be for members of 1 household or for a maximum of 4 people.
  • Health checks will take place.

Most events are banned. Exceptions are:

• Theatres, cinemas, casinos and concert venues
• Demonstrations, gatherings and meetings as referred to in the Public Assemblies Act
• Goods markets or food markets that are held every week. Fairs, Christmas markets and so on are not allowed.

Establishments serving food and drink may only provide a takeaway or delivery service.

• Cannabis cafés are only open for pick-up.
• Customers should only enter to pick up their order. Using slot machines, for example, is not allowed.
• Customers are not allowed to consume the purchased goods on site. Food and drinks cannot be purchased for consumption on site at locations like cinemas and convention centres. Zoos and amusement parks can offer takeaways.
• Food and drink may be served by:
  • funeral locations
  • company cafeterias
  • establishments serving food and drink in care institutions for patients and people visiting patients
  • establishments serving food and drink in locations for daytime groups for vulnerable people.
• Takeaway establishments may be open until 01.00, but alcohol may not be sold after 20.00. Cannabis cafés must close at 20.00.
• A small category of establishments is allowed to be open, but reservations are mandatory and are only accepted for 1 household or a maximum of 4 people. Pre-entry health checks must also be carried out. These establishments are:
  • restaurants, bars and cafés at airports (after the security check);
  • hotels (for staying guests only).
    • Between 20.00 and 07.00 no alcohol may be served or consumed in hotel restaurants, bars or lounges.
    • Between 20.00 and 07.00 no alcohol may be delivered to guests via room service.

• Between 20.00 and 07.00 you may not drink alcohol or have it on your person in public spaces. This applies both indoors and outdoors.
• Cannabis cafés must close at 20.00.
• Possession of soft drugs is a punishable offence under the Opium Act. This means the police can always take enforcement action if you have soft drugs on your person or are using it in the public domain.
  • It is possible that drug users may sometimes forget to follow the rules to prevent spreading coronavirus, like staying 1.5 metres apart. In these cases the police will take action.

You may not sing or shout in a group outside your own home.

This does not apply to professional singers, children under 13, and to singing as part of exercising ones right to demonstrate or the freedom of religion and belief, provided the guidelines of the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) are followed.

Group singing is prohibited for amateur singers.

Extra caution is advised for those in at-risk groups.

Ventilation indoors must meet the conditions 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.

Setting off fireworks is prohibited in the period leading up to New Year and on New Year’s Eve.

The sale of fireworks to consumers is banned for this year.

Low-grade fireworks like sparklers, party crackers and bang snaps are allowed. These may be sold year-round.

Staff in at-risk groups

• Teachers and childcare 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) should stay at home.

Primary schools, schools for special education and out-of-school care

• Primary schools, schools for special education and out-of-school care are open for all pupils as normal.
• Primary school children who develop cold symptoms may still go to school. They may also go to out-of-school care, provided they do not have a fever.
• Pupils should stay home if members of their family have symptoms that could point to coronavirus: sneezing, a sore throat, a runny or stuffy nose, a mild cough, a sudden loss of taste or smell, a fever or shortness of breath. Family members must in this case get tested. 
• If anyone in a household has severe symptoms, such as a fever or shortness of breath, the children must stay at home. Other family members must get tested if they also develop symptoms. Children must also stay at home if anyone in the household tests positive for coronavirus.

Secondary schools, including special secondary schools

• Pupils at secondary school, regardless of their age, don’t need to stay 1.5 metres from each other.
  • Pupils should walk or cycle to school if possible.
  • Until at least the end of this school year, schools will arrange special transportation for pupils who live far away.
• Secondary schools are fully open.
• Schools must prevent large groups of pupils from gathering in the auditorium, the grounds, the bike sheds or other areas around the school. They can make agreements to this end with their local authority or local shops near the school.
• School buildings are only to be used for lessons and not for other gatherings, like parent-teacher evenings and open days.
• Additional agreements have been made with secondary schools, strongly advising that face masks be worn outside of classrooms and in specific situations such as practical training.

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

• Educational institutions (secondary vocational education and higher professional education/universities) are organising induction activities online, wherever possible. In-person activities can only take place in small groups and must be informative in nature.
• The management of the educational institution in question and the head of the relevant safety region must give permission for such activities to take place.
• Student societies (‘studentenverenigingen’) can hold a limited number of recruitment and induction activities, if these have been approved by the educational institution or the safety region. Activities must be aimed at acquainting students with their chosen society and must take place in small groups.
• Such activities can only take place in small groups and must end by 22.00 at the latest. Alcohol is not permitted.
• From the start of the 2020/2021 academic year, secondary vocational education institutions, higher professional education institutions and universities have more scope for providing teaching on location. Some teaching will continue to be offered online.
• Students and staff must stay 1.5 metres apart at all times. This also applies to students who are not yet 18.
• Lectures and classes will be staggered over the week and day, to spread the number of students travelling to and from their institution by public transport. Educational institutions will inform students of the rules and modified timetables.
• Teaching will be organised so that students will be able to completely or mostly avoid commuting by public transport during peak hours. Educational institutions and transport companies will make agreements about the timetables.
• The student travel product remains valid at the usual times.
• Students and staff must wear a face mask outside of lessons and in specific situations such as practical training.
• In-person activities can only take place in small groups and must end by 22.00 at the latest. Alcohol is not permitted.

• Sports activities are permitted to a very limited extent.
  • Only sports where participants can keep a distance of 1.5 metres are allowed.
  • Groups of no more than 4 people can play sports together.
  • No matches or competitions are permitted.
  • No spectators are permitted.
  • Showers and changing rooms are closed, except changing rooms at swimming pools.
• Indoor sports: no more than 4 people per group (excluding the instructor). Everyone in the group must stay 1.5 metres from each other. No more than 30 people are allowed in each separate space. More groups of 4 people may play alongside each other as long as there is 1.5 metres between the groups. And as long as the groups are clearly separated and they do not mix.
• Outdoor sports: no more than 4 people per group (excluding the instructor). More groups of 4 people may play alongside each other as long as there is 1.5 metres between the groups and the outdoor space allows for this. Groups must be clearly separated and must not mix.
• There is an exemption for elite athletes at designated training facilities and for footballers in the Eredivisie and Eerste Divisie.
• There is also an exception for children under 18. They are allowed to take part in team sports and may take part in matches and competitions against teams from their own club.
  • There will no official matches and competitions.
  • Children with coronavirus symptoms must stay at home.

• Children and adults, both professionals or amateurs, may take part in creative activities like practising in groups, rehearsing and performing. They must follow the same general rules that apply indoors and outdoors.
  • In some cases, such as when acting or dancing, physical contact is necessary. However, the 1.5 metre distancing rule should be followed as much as possible. This applies to both professionals and amateurs.
• Wind instrument players can play, if they stay at least 2 metres from others. The sector has included this rule in its protocol.
• Group singing (e.g. by choirs) is not allowed. Singing along at concerts, for example, is not allowed.

The following exceptions apply:

• Professional singers may perform but as a precaution, must keep a good distance from other performers and the audience. The sector has drafted protocols to this end.
• Singing in the context of exercising the right to demonstrate is allowed.
• Singing in the context of a religious or faith-based event is allowed. The RIVM has drafted guidelines for this.
• The ban does not apply to children under 13.

Extra caution is advised for those in at-risk groups.

• People in all contact-based professions may carry out their work.
• Both the service provider and their client are strongly advised to wear a face mask.
• Clients must make a reservation and a pre-entry health check must be carried out.
• All contact-based professions must ask their clients to provide their contact details for contact tracing by the municipal health service (GGD) in the event someone is infected.
  • Registration is voluntary. Clients should not be refused entry because they do not wish to provide this information.
  • The personal details provided may be used for contact tracing purposes only.
  • This requirement does not apply to professions where providing contact details would hinder the performance of services or endanger the safety and wellbeing of those involved, such as care providers, enforcement officers and investigating officers.

Transport

Limit travel movements. Don’t give the virus a lift. Travelling less means people are in fewer different locations and have fewer social contacts. This makes it harder for the virus to spread. So, limit your outings, work from home if you can and travel outside peak hours. This applies to all forms of transport. Travel by bicycle or on foot for short journeys if possible.

The general rule is that everyone must stay 1.5 metres apart. Sometimes, like on public transport, this is not possible. 

• Avoid travelling at peak hours.
  • Schools and universities will take measures to prevent public transport becoming too busy during peak hours. For example by adjusting school hours.
  • Employers will also take measures to prevent public transport becoming too busy during peak hours. For example by encouraging staff to work from home and by adjusting working hours if travel is necessary.

Travel by bicycle or on foot as much as possible for short journeys.

• All seats on buses, trains, trams and metros can be used. Use of public transport is no longer restricted to essential travel only and all seats on buses, trains, trams and metros can be used. However, it is still important to avoid peak hours.

• Passengers aged 13 and over must wear a non-medical face mask on public transport. 
  • The fine for not wearing a mask on public transport is €95.
  • Passengers are strongly advised to wear face masks at train stations, on train and metro platforms and at bus and tram stops. Wear your face mask at the station if you cannot keep 1.5 metres apart.
  • To ensure safe and efficient boarding, put your mask on well before you need to get into the vehicle.

People travelling in a car or other private vehicle are advised to wear non-medical face masks if there are 2 or more people in the vehicle who belong to different households. If you are travelling with people from another household, only 4 people may be in the car.

• For commercial transport, such as taxis, passenger vans and coaches, passengers must undergo a pre-travel health check and – if possible – reserve a seat in advance. Non-medical face masks must also be worn by all passengers aged 13 and over. 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 are advised to book in advance. When 2 or more passengers are travelling together in a taxi, those aged 13 and over are required to wear a non-medical face mask. 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 new restrictions regarding occupancy.
• A pre-entry health check is required when travelling by passenger van or coach, and passengers are advised to book their seats in advance. All passengers aged 13 and over must wear a non-medical face mask. If ou are not the only passenger, you may be fined if you do not wear a face mask. There are no new restrictions regarding occupancy.
• When 2 or more passengers are travelling in a commercial vehicle (light goods vehicle, moving van, lorry, etc.), non-medical face masks are required unless passengers are able to keep a 1.5-metre distance from one another.
• On other forms of transport the rule is: stay 1.5 metres apart.