The number of people being admitted to hospital with COVID-19 is falling rapidly. And more and more people are being vaccinated. The government has therefore decided to bring forward step 3 of the reopening plan by a couple of days. From Saturday 5 June, most locations in the Netherlands will be open, subject to certain conditions. Coronavirus entry passes will open up possibilities for various activities and will, for example, make it possible to increase visitor numbers.
It’s still important that everyone keeps following the basic rules, including people who have been vaccinated. This means avoiding busy places, washing your hands, keeping your distance, and staying home and getting tested if you have any symptoms. You should work from home if you can. And you should get vaccinated as soon as you are invited to do so. This will provide greater scope to lift measures more quickly.
Third step of the reopening plan: 5 June
The measures below will be lifted or relaxed as of 5 June. All other measures and the basic rules will continue to apply to everyone.
Maximum of 4 visitors at home
The advice for receiving visitors at home is changing. You are advised to receive no more than 4 visitors a day at home. Always wash your hands when you arrive and keep 1.5 metres apart from people outside your household or family. Children under the age of 13 do not count towards the limit of 4 people.
Group size outdoors: 4 people
The maximum group size will increase to 4 people. This means that you can be outdoors with three other people. Or you can engage in an outdoor activity with 3 other people. But you must still keep 1.5 metres apart from people outside your household or family. Children under the age of 13 do not count towards the limit of 4 people.
Working from home
Working from home whenever possible will remain the norm. But internal teams will once again be allowed to get together for the purposes of training and development.
Large venues
The maximum number of visitors in one space is 50, at a distance of 1.5 metres apart. Large venues with 1,000 seats or more, however, may admit up to 250 visitors, 1.5 metres apart. This applies to all large indoor and outdoor venues like indoor arenas, open-air theatres and concert halls.
Cultural venues
Museums and historic buildings may reopen their indoor spaces. Museums may admit one visitor per 10 square metres. Cinemas – including art house cinemas -, pop music venues, and theatres can also open their doors again, subject to certain conditions including reservation, health checks and designated seating. Reservations can be made for up to 4 people. This limit does not apply to children under 13 and people who are part of the same household. The maximum number of visitors in one space or room is 50, at a distance of 1.5 metres apart. Large venues with a capacity of 1,000 seats or more, however, may admit up to 250 people, 1.5 metres apart. This limit does not include staff.
Art and culture
People of all ages can now take part in artistic and cultural activities in groups. This means that orchestras can rehearse together once again, for instance. People do not have to stay 1.5 metres from one another during rehearsals if this is not possible. However, the number of people who can be in one space cannot exceed 50, excluding teaching staff. No audiences are allowed. The other rules for singing, acting, music and dance continue to apply.
Recreation
Indoor spaces at amusement parks, nature parks and zoos may reopen. These include, for example, reptile houses and covered attractions. Casinos, play and recreational facilities (for example, laser gaming venues), saunas and spas may also reopen. The maximum number of visitors permitted will be either one person per 10 square metres or up to 50 people in one space, 1.5 metres apart, depending on the nature of the activity, i.e. whether visitors move around or are mainly seated. Reservations, registration and a health check are mandatory. Reservations can be made for up to 4 people. This limit does not apply to children and people who are part of the same household. When indoors visitors must wear a face mask.
Sports
Adults may once again do sport in groups of up to 50 people without having to keep 1.5 metres apart, if the sport in question requires people to be closer. The requirement to keep 1.5 metres apart when doing sport had already been lifted for young people and children.
Competitive matches for children aged 17 and under may take place again. But no spectators will be permitted as yet. Over-18s may not yet play competitive matches, but matches between members of the same sports club are allowed. Spectators will not be permitted to attend amateur sports matches for the time being. Changing rooms, showers and saunas will reopen, as well as sports clubhouses. Reservations and a health check remain mandatory. A face mask must be worn indoors, except during the sports activity itself.
Restaurants, cafés and bars
Establishments serving food and drink can be open from 06.00 to 22.00. Everyone must have an assigned seat at a table. Sitting at the bar is not permitted. A maximum of 4 people are allowed to sit at a table and they must be seated 1.5 metres apart. This does not apply to children under the age of 13 or people who are part of the same household. A maximum of 50 people applies, excluding staff. The same maximum applies to outdoor seating areas. Restaurants and cafés can serve dinner in a maximum of two sittings per table per evening. Self-service is not allowed. Entertainment such as live performances or television screens showing sporting events are also not permitted. A reservation, health check and assigned seat are mandatory.
Alcohol sales and coffee shops (cannabis cafés)
Alcoholic beverages cannot be sold between 22.00 and 06.00. Previously, alcoholic beverages could not be sold between 20.00 and 06.00. Cannabis cafés are open for pick-up until 22.00. Previously, this was 20.00.
Shops
All shops can open in accordance with their regular opening times. This means that late-night shopping is permitted again. The amount of people permitted in a shop has also increased to one person per 10 square metres.
‘Coronavirus entry passes’: maximum with 1.5-metre distancing rather than fixed maximum
The government has decided to introduce coronavirus entry passes as part of step 3 of the reopening plan. Establishments serving food and drink, cultural venues and organisers of professional sporting competitions can choose to make use of this system. This can help them ensure that they can safely host more people. Venues such as theatres or restaurants that do not use the system can host a maximum of 50 people. If they opt to use the system, they can host as many people as they can accommodate if people are 1.5 metres from one another while seated. Events where guests have an assigned seat, whether indoor or outdoors, are also allowed again. However, these events must take account of local rules and requirements, such as permits.
For more information, see www.rijksoverheid.nl/testenvoortoegang (in Dutch)
Next steps of the reopening plan
The reopening plan has been updated. The fourth step of the reopening plan is now planned for 30 June. This is when, for instance, the advice for receiving visitors at home and rules on group sizes will be adjusted again. Under step 4, events where guests don’t have an assigned seat will be allowed, subject to 1.5-metre distancing or entry passes, as well as other conditions. Examples include festivals, concerts and funfairs. However, these events must take account of local rules and requirements, such as permits. Discotheques and nightclubs also fall under this provision. The government will decide on 22 June whether to implement step 4 as planned. See the overview of the reopening plan and the measures to be lifted at each step.
The last step, step 5, lifting the basic rules and removing the entry pass system, can only be taken when the number of infections and hospital admissions allow this.
Source: government.nl
