Netherlands: Authorities maintaining tight COVID-19-related restrictions as of Jan. 5 /update 55

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Officials in the Netherlands are maintaining strict measures imposed to combat the spread of COVID-19 as of Jan. 5.

Domestic Measures
Lockdown measures aimed at containing the spread of the highly transmissible Omicron variant of COVID-19 remain in effect. Nonessential businesses - including restaurants, bars, gyms, entertainment venues, and shops - are closed until at least Jan. 14. Essential stores - including supermarkets, pet shops, and wholesalers, among others - may remain open 05:00-20:00, and providers of essential services may operate during regular business hours. Outdoor sports facilities may operate 05:00-17:00; individuals aged 18 and older may play sports alone or in groups of two outdoors.

Officials are urging individuals to remain at home as much as possible, including working from home unless impossible; outside of home, people are advised to stay at least 1.5 meters (5 feet) away from others. Authorities have also imposed strict limits on gatherings, generally permitting only two people aged 13 and older to visit homes and congregate outdoors. Public events are prohibited, except for funerals, weekly markets selling groceries, and professional sports competitions, which are to be held without spectators. Wearing a facemask is mandatory in enclosed public spaces. Most places where a coronavirus entry pass is required are closed under the current measures.

For more information on Dutch measures imposed to curb the spread of COVID-19, click here.

International Travel Restrictions
Nonessential travel is permitted for fully vaccinated individuals and unvaccinated individuals from EU and Schengen Area countries, as well as those from Argentina, Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Kuwait, Macau, New Zealand, Peru, Qatar, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Taiwan, UAE, and Uruguay. All travelers from outside the EU or Schengen Area, regardless of vaccination status, must have proof of a negative result from a NAAT PCR test taken in the 48 hours prior to departure for the Netherlands or a negative result from a rapid test (e.g., an antigen test) taken in the 24 hours prior to departure.

Dutch authorities classify countries as low risk, high risk, or very high risk based on the local COVID-19 situation and accordingly apply differential travel restrictions. International travel restrictions also differ for individuals traveling between the Netherlands and other EU/Schengen Area countries and those traveling between the Netherlands and countries outside the EU/Schengen Area. Regardless of travel origin, all individuals aged 12 and older who are traveling to the Netherlands via plane must present a completed health declaration form before boarding their flight to the country; to access the form, click here.

As of Jan. 5, all EU and Schengen Area countries are classified as high risk. Travelers from these countries must have proof of vaccination or recovery from COVID-19, or a negative result from a PCR or antigen test meeting the requirements detailed above. Such travelers are not subject to quarantine.

Permitted travelers from low-risk and high-risk countries outside of the EU or Schengen Area must have a negative result from a PCR or antigen test that meets the requirements above; such travelers are not subject to quarantine. Permitted travelers from very-high risk countries outside of the EU or Schengen Area must self-isolate for 10 days on arrival; the quarantine period can be ended early following receipt of a negative result from a PCR test taken on day five of isolation.

Tighter testing requirements are in place for travelers arriving from very high-risk areas where there is a virus variant of concern. As of Jan. 5, this includes Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, and South Africa. All travelers, regardless of vaccination status, must have a negative result from a NAAT PCR test taken in the 24 hours before departure or a negative result from a NAAT PCR test taken in the 48 hours prior to departure in addition to a negative result from an antigen test taken in the 24 hours prior to departure. Such travelers must also self-isolate for 10 days on arrival; the quarantine period can be ended early following receipt of a negative result from a PCR test taken on day five of isolation.

For more information on traveling to the Netherlands from abroad, including country categories and any exemptions, click here.

Authorities could reimpose, extend, further ease, or otherwise amend any restrictions with little-to-no notice depending on disease activity over the coming weeks.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements. Consider delaying traveling if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, as they may prompt increased scrutiny and delays. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions.

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