Long queues have built up at ‘test for entry’ centres in Amsterdam and Rotterdam ahead of the lifting of most coronavirus restrictions on Friday night.

‘100% of the testing capacity is being used at some locations and that means waiting times can mount up because of IT delays,’ the Open Nederland foundation said in a statement.

‘We are looking together with the test providers what can be done to optimise the process. And from next weekend, opening hours will be longer at the weekend, increasing capacity by 50%.’

Clubs, cafes and bars can ditch social distancing requirements if they only admit people who have a negative coronavirus test via one of the ‘test for entry’ locations.

Dozens of nightlife haunts are planning to open their doors after midnight and justice minister Ferd Grapperhaus has said that officials will turn a blind eye if cafes remain open for the two hours from 10pm, today’s legal closing time.