Coronavirus in the Netherlands: what changes today

Photo: DutchNews.nl
Another week for the coronavirus pass Photo: DutchNews.nl

The Netherlands is scrapping most of its coronavirus rules over the next two weeks. Here’s an update on what changes from Friday.

The coronavirus pass will remain in use for one more week.

Sports stadiums can fill all their seats again, and people will not have to wear a mask, unless they get up to move around.

Cafes, restaurants and bars may remain open until 1am but face masks and social distancing are dropped, although you should wear a mask when moving around.

Theatres, cinemas and the rest of the cultural sector can remain open until 1am. Face masks and social distancing no longer apply, but you should wear a mask when not seated.

Isolation after a confirmed infection is cut from seven to five days, providing the final 24 hours are symptom free. If you test positive and have symptoms, the five days start from when the symptoms started. If you don’t have symptoms, the five days begin at the test date.

Colleges and universities can fill their lecture theatres again.

What next?

The remaining rules will go from February 25, when use of the coronavirus pass will be suspended, social distancing will end and cafes and bars will no longer have to close at 1am.

Face masks will only be required in public transport and on planes.

Visitors must have a negative coronavirus test to attend a club or indoor event (1G) with more than 500 people without fixed seatings, but there will be no testing for outdoor events.

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