The recommended restriction on the number of visitors at home during the ‘partial lockdown’ will be lifted for December festivities, health minister Hugo de Jonge has told MPs in a briefing.

Even if the ‘no more than four visitors’ rule remains in effect by next month, it will not apply during Sinterklaas on December 5, Hanukhah (November 28 to December 6) and Christmas and Boxing Day, De Jonge said.

The government has introduced new measures from Saturday in an effort to bring down the surge in new coronavirus cases, but these are set to expire on December 4 – if they have had an impact.

The measures include a recommendation that home visits are limited to four people over the age of 13 a day.

From December 4, the government hopes to bring in new legislation based on measures more aligned to a society in which 85% of the adult population have been vaccinated, De Jonge told reporters on Friday evening.

Travel

Friday night’s press conference did not include any reference to new rules for foreign travel. Check the government website for the latest travel advice.

It has, however, emerged that government health advisors had recommended restrictions on movement within the Netherlands, but the government decided not to include that in the new package.