The cabinet is adjusting the rules for holidays within Europe. All countries within the EU are given a yellow or green color code, making it easy to travel there. In doing so, the Netherlands is bringing its travel advice in line with most other EU member states. Travelers must continue to comply with the corona conditions that countries set.
The new color codes will apply from tomorrow. No EU country will then be advised against as a holiday destination, not even Spain or Portugal, which are struggling with many infections. A country can only be put on orange if a dangerous new variant of the virus appears there.
On return to the Netherlands, stricter rules will apply from 8 August to prevent a new wave of infections by holidaymakers.
All travelers aged twelve and older who return from a country with a yellow travel advice, need a corona certificate. This is possible via a full vaccination that provides a valid QR code in the CoronaCheck app.
Test in holiday country
Others have to have a PCR or antigen test done in their holiday country. They are only allowed to enter the Netherlands if it is negative. The PCR test can be up to 48 hours old, an antigen test up to 24 hours.
Those who travel by plane, boat, train or bus are checked by the transport company, but the cabinet emphasizes that people who return to the Netherlands by their own transport can also be checked. Mobile teams will carry out these checks around the border.
People who have been fully vaccinated are also advised to test themselves when they return to the Netherlands. Outgoing minister De Jonge said in an explanation that the new rules offer more security for people who are still going on holiday. “But also more certainty for ourselves, to prevent a new wave in the autumn.”
No multi-day festivals
The cabinet is putting an end to multi-day festivals in the Netherlands because of the contamination risks. It concerns festivals such as Lowlands, Down the Rabbit Hole and Mysteryland. The festivals had already been suspended until mid-August, after which the cabinet would again make a decision.
The festival sector previously announced that it wanted a timely confirmation about the continuation of the events later in the summer. That certainty is now available: festivals over several days with overnight stays are not allowed until September 1.
Outgoing Prime Minister Rutte about the multi-day festivals:
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