The Netherlands open again in 3 steps
The Hague 15.02.2022 – The number of corona infections is on the high side, but gradually decreasing.
Many people are in isolation or quarantine at home. Despite the high infection rates, the number of hospital admissions remains stable. We are more resistant to the virus, thanks to vaccinations and booster shots and the protective immunity. So the Netherlands will open again. Just not in one go. But in 3 steps. Those are big steps in quick succession.
Step 1: immediately
With immediate effect, the advice not to receive more than 4 people at home will expire. Also the advice to work from home as much as possible: work a maximum of half of the working time at the office.
Step 2: February 18
From Friday 18 February, all locations in our country can open again until 1 a.m. The corona ticket (3G) will remain in effect until February 25 at all locations where it must already be shown. Such as in the catering industry, in cinemas, museums and theaters and at professional sports competitions. Once inside these locations, there is a fixed seat, wearing a mouth cap and keeping a distance of 1.5 meters is no longer mandatory. There are no longer any visitor standards. At locations with more than 500 people, a permanent seat and wearing a mouth cap is still mandatory. The isolation advice after a positive test is shortened to 5 days, provided someone has no complaints for 24 hours.
Step 3: February 25
We will take the last step on Friday 25 February. Then the normal opening hours apply and we say goodbye to the corona admission ticket at locations where less than 3 500 people are inside, the mandatory 1.5 meters away, wearing a mouth cap in the catering industry: in education from in the store, a maximum number of visitors and a fixed seat in, for example, the catering industry. That also includes the large nightclubs, discotheques, festivals and events that open indefinitely. In places indoors where more than 500 people gather and do not have a permanent seat, for example in night restaurants or at festivals, everyone must show a negative test result. This does not apply to transfer locations such as trade fairs and conferences. In order to offer safe people the opportunity to travel safely, it will also remain mandatory from 25 February to wear a face mask in public and at the airport.
On March 15, the cabinet will document, among other things, the mandatory access testing (1G) and home working advice before public transport.
Moving forward together: for everyone
After almost 2 years of experience with the corona approach, we have learned how difficult it is to deal with measures that can develop our daily lives. And with relaxation. That is why we must continue to pay attention and help each other so that we do not infect each other. The virus isn’t here yet. So it remains good for everyone to keep the spread of the virus demonstrable. Such as washing hands, coughing and sneezing in the elbow, no hands, keeping a distance from wearing a mouth cap in busy places, enough fresh air, regularly doing a self-test, testing for complaints and a booster shot vaccine.
Insulation
The insulation advice will be relaxed as of Friday 18 February. The isolation time is shortened from a minimum of 7 days to 5 days (if 24 hours without complaints). Everyone still goes into isolation after a positive test. Even if you have had a booster shot. This way you do not infect housemates or other people. If you have tested positive with corona complaints, the isolation period starts from the moment you started to have complaints. If you have tested positive without corona complaints, you start counting from the date of the test.