Netherlands: Authorities easing some COVID-19 domestic and international entry restrictions as of Feb. 16 /update 59

Event

Officials in the Netherlands have announced plans to ease measures imposed to combat the spread of COVID-19 amid falling infection rates. Effective immediately, advice to receive no more than four visitors per day is lifted and working from home becomes recommended rather than mandatory. From Feb. 18, opening hour restrictions on businesses will be extended to 01:00. From Feb. 25, COVID-19 related opening hour restrictions will be removed entirely, the Corona Entry Pass will no longer be required at venues accommodating fewer than 500 people, and facemasks will be mandatory on public transport only.

Also from Feb. 25, unvaccinated travelers EU or Schengen Area countries will be required to show a negative test result to be permitted entry to the Netherlands. Travelers from very high-risk countries will no longer be required to self-isolate on arrival.

Domestic Measures
In addition to the changes outlined above. A Corona Entry Pass confirming the holder has been vaccinated, recovered, or recently tested negative for COVID-19 is necessary to access certain facilities. Wearing a facemask is mandatory in enclosed public spaces and where people cannot maintain 1.5 meters (5 feet) of space until the changes on Feb. 25; authorities advise individuals to wear disposal masks instead of homemade or cloth facemasks. For more information on Dutch measures imposed to curb the spread of COVID-19, click here.

International Travel Restrictions
Officials permit nonessential travel for fully vaccinated individuals and unvaccinated individuals from EU and Schengen Area countries and certain locations exempt from the travel ban; to view which countries are exempt, click here.

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 within 48 hours before departure for the Netherlands or a negative result from a rapid test (e.g., an antigen test) taken within 24 hours before departure. Permitted travelers from low- and high-risk countries outside the EU or Schengen Area are exempt from quarantine. Permitted travelers from very-high risk countries outside the EU or Schengen Area must self-isolate for 10 days on arrival; individuals can leave quarantine early following receipt of a negative result from a PCR test taken on day five of isolation. Individuals who have received a booster vaccination at least seven days before travel are exempt from the isolation requirement.

Dutch authorities classify countries as low risk, high risk, or very high risk based on the local COVID-19 situation and apply differential travel restrictions accordingly. 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 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 Feb. 16, authorities classify all EU and Schengen Area countries as high risk. Travelers from these countries must have either proof of vaccination or recovery from COVID-19 or a negative result from a PCR or antigen test meeting the aforementioned requirements. Such travelers are exempt from quarantine.

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.

Resources

Schengen Area Countries