Thousands more download the CoronaCheck app ahead of new rules

Checking a coronavirus QR code. Photo: Depositphotos.com
Checking a coronavirus QR code. Photo: Depositphotos.com

News that the coronavirus pass will effectively replace the 1.5 metre social distancing rule in bars, restaurants, theatres and cinemas, led many who had not done so to download the CoronaCheck app on Tuesday evening.

Demand was so great that for a time the app ground to a halt and stopped users requesting new QR codes.

Tuesday evening’s bottleneck is the last one in a series of technical difficulties for the app which has now been downloaded 10 million times, health minister Hugo de Jonge told MPs.

Some 28 million QR codes have been made since the app was introduced. The code produces a green tick on the scanner if the user has been fully vaccinated, has had Covid recently, or tested negative for the virus within 24 hours.

Meanwhile, the government has set aside €15m to compensate events organisers who are losing out on the number of tickets they can sell because of continuing corona restrictions, De Jonge has told MPs.

Inside events without fixed seating, like pop concerts, can go ahead from September 25 but with only 75% capacity and venues will close between midnight and 6am.

Thank you for donating to DutchNews.nl.

We could not provide the Dutch News service, and keep it free of charge, without the generous support of our readers. Your donations allow us to report on issues you tell us matter, and provide you with a summary of the most important Dutch news each day.

Make a donation