Netherlands COVID19 – Update – European Joint Support Unit

Below is a brief overview of current guidance on COVID restrictions in the Netherlands.

The original content below can be found on the Netherlands Government pages. It is recommended you keep a link to this site as a favorite to check for any changes during the Christmas period. – Coronavirus measures in brief | Coronavirus COVID-19 | Government.nl

Basic rules for everyone

Stay at home as much as possible. If you do go out, limit contact with others and stay 1.5 metres apart.
If you test positive for coronavirus, you must self-isolate. The people you live with must self-quarantine, even if they have been vaccinated or have had coronavirus before.
If you had contact with someone who has or may have coronavirus and are unsure whether you need to self-quarantine, do the Quarantine Check.
Work from home. If this is impossible, stay 1.5 metres apart at work.
Receive no more than 2 visitors aged 13 and over per day. On 24, 25 and 26 December and on 31 December and 1 January the maximum number of visitors aged 13 and over is 4 per day.
Limit visits to one a day.
Do a self-test before visiting others or receiving visitors.
People aged 70 and over are advised to limit contact with others. Keep 1.5 metres apart from others, also from children.

Most locations are closed, including:

Food and drink venues such as restaurants and bars.
Locations for artistic and cultural activities, such as cinemas, theatres and concert halls.
Zoos and amusement parks.
Indoor sporting locations, such as gyms and swimming pools.
Non-essential shops such as clothing shops, department stores and hardware shops.

A few locations may remain open:

Essential shops such as supermarkets, pet shops, chemists, opticians and wholesalers may open from 05:00 to 20:00.
Service providers such as lawyers and notaries may be open for their regular opening hours.

There is a ban on events. Events are therefore not possible.

Daycare centres for children aged 0 to 4 are open.
From Monday 20 December 2021 to Sunday 9 January 2022 primary schools and schools for special primary education will be closed. Out-of-school care facilities (BSO) will also be closed.
- Schools will be open to provide emergency childcare for vulnerable children and the children of key workers in crucial sectors.
- BSO facilities are only open during this period to provide emergency childcare.
- Schools that are unable to put this emergency childcare into place in time must close no later than Tuesday 21 December 2021, as must out-of-school care facilities.
Secondary schools will be closed from Monday 20 December 2021 to Sunday 9 January 2022.
Secondary vocational institutions (MBO) will be closed from Monday 20 December 2021 to Sunday 9 January 2022.
Higher education institutions (HBO and universities) will be closed from Monday 20 December 2021 to Sunday 9 January 2022.
Accredited (further) education may take place in the evenings.

All indoor sports venues are closed.
Professional sports and swimming lessons for A, B and C level swimming certificates may take place.
Outdoor sporting locations may open between 05:00 and 17:00.

Within the Netherlands: stay at home as much as possible. If you do go out, limit contact with others and stay 1.5 metres apart.
Abroad: the Dutch government issues travel advice per country. If you have holiday plans, travel smart. Travelling is still a risk, and will remain a risk. Check the travel advice on Wijsopreis.nl (in Dutch).