The Netherlands attempts to curb the spread of Covid-19 with new rules

They will be effective as of Tuesday 29 September at 18:00

New measures aimed to limit the spread of coronavirus in the Netherlands enter in force today, 29 September at 6 p.m. They were announced yesterday evening at a press conference by Prime Minister Mark Rutte and Health Minister Hugo de Jonge. The new rules will apply for 3 weeks and want to reduce the risk of forming crowds and the number of social contacts, without blocking society and the economy with a new lockdown.

Life continues with caution – new indoors and outdoors rules in the Netherlands

At yesterday’s press conference it was made clear that people in the Netherlands do not obey the existing anti-corona rules, hence the number of new infections is still high. Although the proportion of new cases over the last week has been higher among the youth (20 to 29 years), all age groups have seen new infections. That is why, new nation-wide limitations will be enforced starting today and lasting for 3 weeks.

Starting with indoor rules - no one can receive more than 3 guests at home (not counting children up to the age of 12), and meetings are limited to 4 people. At indoor locations, the total limit is set to 30 people, children included this time.

The rules for catering establishments, such as cafés, bars and restaurants stipulate that no one is allowed to enter after 9 p.m. as the establishment itself is required to close at 10 p.m. Clients provide their names and phone numbers upon entrance, so that they can be contacted in case someone has gotten infected with the virus.

Reservation is required to visit the library or museums, as well as establishments used for contact professions (such as masseurs, hair or nail stylists, sex workers, driving instructors, etc.). Special shopping hours for the elderly and the vulnerable are set to return, while the rest will be allowed to enter a store only if there is enough space to keep 1.5-meters distance.

When it comes to outdoor activities, sports events will go without an audience, and so will training sessions. Gatherings are limited to 40 people, children included. Museums and zoos also accept visitors upon reservation.

However, there is a great number of exceptions to the rules, and they concern funerals, public demonstrations, educational establishments, public transport, among others. Full list and details about the exceptions to the new rules is available on the website of the Dutch government.

As always, the authorities highly recommend working from home, avoiding travelling and physical contact, and keeping the social distance. Wearing a mask is also recommended in the provinces with particularly high number of new infections: North Holland, South Holland, Utrecht, and Groningen.