The Netherland government is tightening up measures to combat the sharp increase in coronavirus infections and avoid putting further pressure on the overburdened healthcare sector. The new measures will enter into force at 18.00 on Saturday 13 November and apply until at least Saturday 4 December. The government will reassess the situation on Friday 3 December.
Short-term measures
Everyone must stay 1.5 metres from others in areas or venues where a coronavirus entry pass is not required.
Face masks are mandatory in areas or venues where a coronavirus entry pass is not required.
Businesses providing non-essential goods and services, such as clothes shops, contact-based services such as hair salons, and casinos must close at 18.00.
Food and drink venues and shops selling essential goods, such as supermarkets, pet shops and chemists, must close at 20.00.
Coronavirus entry passes and assigned seats are mandatory in food and drink venues.
Events must end at 18.00. Coronavirus entry passes and assigned seats are mandatory, and there is a limit of 1,250 visitors per space.
The mandatory closing time does not apply to artistic and cultural performances, for instance in cinemas, theatres and concert halls.
Spectators are not allowed at professional or amateur sports events. There are no further restrictions for sports.
People are advised to work from home unless that is impossible.
No more than four visitors are allowed in your home in a day.
If someone in your household tests positive for coronavirus, that person must self-isolate, and everyone else in the household must self-quarantine, whether they are vaccinated or not.
In secondary vocational (MBO) and higher education (HBO and universities), the maximum group size, not including staff, is 75 people per room. This does not apply to spaces where examinations are sat.
Financial support will be available for businesses directly affected by these new coronavirus restrictions, such as retailers and food and drink venues.
These new measures come on top of the measures that already apply, including the basic rules, mandatory face masks and the coronavirus entry pass system. Get tested if you have any symptoms of COVID-19, even if you’re fully vaccinated.
Proposed longer-term measures
Legislation is being drafted that will make coronavirus entry passes mandatory for most shops and for venues like zoos and amusement parks. The legislation will also allow employers to check coronavirus entry passes in the workplace.
Vaccine booster campaign to begin sooner
The COVID-19 vaccine booster campaign is starting (in Dutch only) on Friday 19 November for people aged 80 and over who can come to a vaccination centre themselves, care home residents aged 18 and over, and healthcare workers who come into contact with patients. A booster is an extra dose of vaccine that people get on top of their initial vaccinations. This ensures a high level of protection against serious illness and helps reduce the number of hospital admissions.
