At a press conference on Tuesday 20 April, Prime Minister Rutte and Health Minister Hugo de Jonge confirmed that a number of restrictions on the coronavirus pandemic will be lifted from next week. Terraces and shops will reopen from 28 April and Dutch higher education will partially reopen on 26 April.
Coronavirus restrictions relaxed in the Netherlands
As outlined in the government's five-step plan for lifting the state of emergency restrictions, Rutte announced that some measures will be loosened from Monday, but called the gradual reopening of the country a balancing act. No exceptions will be made to the existing restrictions for King's Day on April 27.
Opening of terraces and shops
The terraces will reopen on Wednesday 28 April, but strict rules will apply:
- Terraces are open from 12pm to 6pm
- One family allowed at the table, OR
- two people per meal if they are not from the same family
- 50 people allowed per terrace
- Reservations are required
- A health check must be carried out on arrival
- Everyone must maintain a distance of 1.5 metres
Also, shopping by appointment has been cancelled and non-essential shops can reopen under strict rules:
- One customer per 25 square metres
- Wearing a mask is compulsory
- Non-essential shops can stay open until 8pm
However, entrepreneurs, business owners and traders' associations will be jointly responsible for implementing the necessary measures and are expected to prevent overcrowding on predominantly commercial streets.
Measures for education
Universities and colleges will partially reopen on Monday 26 April:
- Students and pupils will attend classes in person on average one day per week
- Rapid tests will be used to prevent the spread of COVID-19 as much as possible
The driving theory test centres will also reopen next week.
Lifting the state of emergency
The state of emergency first came into force in January, and after three months it will be lifted from April 28 at 4:30am.
Maximum two guests of the same family per day
Since February, the Dutch government has imposed a limit of one guest per day per family, excluding children under 13. Since 28 April, this rule has been relaxed slightly, allowing a maximum of two guests per household per day.
In addition, the government is relaxing the rules for funerals - from 28 April, up to 100 people will be able to attend funeral ceremonies.
Several measures will remain in force until 11 May
While Tuesday marks a significant step in the move to reopen the country, several restrictions will remain in place until May 11:
- Sale of alcohol prohibited after 8pm
- Museums are closed
- Cinemas are closed
- Zoos are closed
- Theatres are closed
- Casinos are closed
- Theme parks are closed
- Public pools and saunas are closed (pools are only open for lessons with children)
- Sports halls and other indoor sports facilities are closed
- Libraries are closed (open for checkout)
- Coffee shops are closed (open for pick-up until 8pm)
- Outside, the maximum group size is two people (if not from the same family)
- Stay at home, work from home and limit travel as much as possible
- If you experience symptoms, stay home
- Wear a mask in all indoor public areas and on public transport
The government will continue to review the measures and the situation of the coronavirus pandemic in the Netherlands in the coming days, the next press conference is scheduled for 3 May.
All data on the current status of the pandemic and vaccination can be found at Coronavirus Dashboard.
Photo credit: Ewien van Bergeijk - Kwant on Unsplash
