People who refuse to wear a face mask in all indoor public places face a fine of €95 from December 1, sources have told the Telegraaf.

At the moment, the Dutch government ‘strongly recommends’ people wear masks in shops and council buildings, but cannot make masks compulsory until new emergency legislation has been enacted in law.

MPs would still have to vote on the face mask fines, which are low enough to ensure people caught without one will not end up with a criminal record. Ministers earlier lowered the fine for breaking social distancing regulations from €390 to €95 to avoid the criminal record trap.

People who cannot wear a mask for physical, health or psychiatric reasons will not face fines if they do not comply, the Telegraaf said.

The Netherlands has resisted making face masks compulsory since the start of the epidemic, saying the effect on preventing the spread of coronavirus will only be minor.

However, since the second wave ministers have changed their position, saying ‘every little helps’.