16 Sep 2021 | 09:22 AM UTC
Netherlands: Authorities to amend domestic COVID-19 countermeasures effective Sept. 25 /update 46
The Netherlands will amend domestic COVID-19 measures effective Sept. 25; international entry restrictions remain in place.
Event
The Netherlands will amend domestic measures imposed to limit the spread of COVID-19 from Sept. 25. From this date, authorities will require residents to possess a digital health certificate in order to enter public spaces including catering facilities, cultural venues, and event spaces. The health certificate, either the Netherlands' CoronaCheck or the EU Digital COVID Certificate, will certify whether the carrier is vaccinated, has recovered from the disease, or tested negative within the previous 24 hours. Additionally, social distancing will no longer be recommended from Sept. 25, and capacity limits on catering establishments and other venues will be lifted.
Most establishments and businesses can currently operate provided they adhere to social distancing protocols. Facemasks will remain mandatory on public transport. There are no restrictions on private and public indoor and outdoor gatherings. A summary of official domestic COVID-19 restrictions is available here.
International Entry Restrictions
Authorities amended international COVID-19 entry restrictions Sept. 4. Dutch officials now designate the US, Israel, Kosovo, Montenegro, and North Macedonia as very high-risk locations. Lebanon is now designated high risk, and authorities are classifying Germany and Hungary as high-risk locations since Sept. 6.
Authorities classify countries as low, high, or very high risk according to the local COVID-19 situation. Travelers may enter the Netherlands from very high-risk locations outside of the EEA/Schengen Area only if they are fully vaccinated or fall under one of the exempt categories. Such individuals must also present a negative COVID-19 test on arrival before self-isolating for 10 days. All arrivals from high-risk locations within the EEA/Schengen Area aged 12 or older who are not fully vaccinated or have not recovered from the disease in the last six months must show a negative COVID-19 PCR test result taken no more than 48 hours before arrival or a negative result from an antigen test taken no more than 24 hours before arrival.
Authorities have removed the category ''very high-risk area where there is a variant of concern.'' These countries are now considered as either high-risk or very high-risk areas.
The Netherlands generally only permits entry to residents of the EEA, Schengen Area, Dutch Caribbean Territories, and designated low-risk countries. Officials prohibit travel from most other countries. Exemptions are in place for fully vaccinated individuals, healthcare workers, people traveling to seek medical attention, those traveling for urgent family reasons, staff traveling to or from British or Dutch drilling platforms, air or sea crews traveling in the performance of their work, transiting EEA or Schengen Area residents, and returning Dutch nationals and residents. For a full list of countries and territories by classification, as well as relevant entry requirements, 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.
