Netherlands: Authorities ease COVID-19 restrictions as of Jan. 17 /update 56

Event

Officials in the Netherlands have eased measures imposed to combat the spread of COVID-19 as of Jan. 15. Nonessential shops, gyms, cultural clubs, and contact services are permitted to reopen until 17:00 each day; several African are removed from the list of areas with a virus variant of concern.

Domestic Measures
Other than the reopening of certain nonessential businesses stated above; catering and entertainment venues remain closed and mass events remain prohibited. Essential shops can stay open until 20:00. A Corona Entry Pass confirming the holder is vaccinated, recovered, or recently tested negative for COVID-19 is required for access to certain facilities, though most with this requirement remain closed. Individuals may receive up to four people in their homes per day and are advised not to gather in groups of more than four people in public areas.

Officials are urging individuals to remain at home as much as possible, including working from home unless impossible; outside of the home, people are advised to stay at least 1.5 meters (5 feet) away from others. Wearing a facemask is mandatory in enclosed public spaces and where 1.5 meters (5 feet) of space cannot be maintained; 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
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. 17, 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.

As of Jan. 16, authorities have reclassified Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, and South Africa as high-risk countries; previously they were classified as virus variant areas and subject to more stringent entry restrictions.

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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Schengen Area Countries