The New Easing: A Guide to Life After July 1

Corona rules should become “simpler” for everyone by July 1, Prime Minister Mark Rutte said on Wednesday when announcing a new set of relaxations. But there are still many exceptions to the guidelines on what is and is not allowed inside and outside. “We are entering the summer with more freedom than expected,” said Rutte. That freedom is not yet absolute. An overview of the most important rules and restrictions as of 1 July.

Keep distance

The 1.5 meter remains “crucial” according to Prime Minister Rutte and in principle still applies everywhere, inside and outside. Those who do not adhere to it still risk a fine of up to 390 euros, although much less strict enforcement has recently taken place.

However, there will be additional exceptions. From September, students in secondary schools no longer have to keep their distance, but they still have to keep to their teachers and to each other. Young people up to the age of eighteen no longer have to keep a distance from each other anyway, this was already the case when exercising outside. The reason is that according to the RIVM they spread the virus ‘in a limited way’. Dance and theater companies may also let go of the 1.5 meters.

In the catering industry, the mandatory 1.5 meters disappears between the tables on the terraces outside, provided that there are cough screens. Sex workers, who are the last of the contact professions to return to work, do not have to take the 1.5 meters into account when exercising their contact-intensive profession. The Outbreak Management Team says there are risks of contamination associated with sex work, but calls it “limited”.

Also read: Rules relax, discipline remains

To travel

In public transport, the 1.5 meter also drops out and all seats can be used again. The mask remains mandatory. There will also be designated pitches, but standing in the hallways remains prohibited. 1.5 meters will remain the norm at stations and platforms. As of July 1, travel by public transport is no longer strictly for necessary trips.

Until now, getting into the car was officially only allowed with people from your own household. This will change: non-family members will also be allowed to ride along again, although a mask is recommended in such a situation. That’s an advice, so you can’t be fined if you don’t wear one. A face mask is mandatory on the plane, but don’t keep your distance.

sports

The gyms may open again, but keeping the distance is the norm. Advance reservations are required, with the gym inquiring about your health. For group lessons, a minimum distance of 1.5 meters must be kept, so the government’s advice is to halve the number of participants. Changing rooms and shower rooms should not yet be used.

Contact sports such as judo are allowed again from 1 July, as can competitions in all team sports. This applies both indoors and outdoors. Athletes must keep their distance before or after the race. This also applies to the spectators who are welcome again along the amateur fields. Outside, there may be a maximum of 250, within a hundred.

Professional football may also start again in September, with the public. Keeping a distance in the stands is the norm and singing, shouting or chanting is not allowed. If spectators do not comply with this, the cabinet will intervene, Rutte warned. According to the prime minister, the chance of infections when singing along or chanting because of flying drops is too great. Choirs may rehearse again, as long as the members keep their distance.

Celebrate

Outside, you can spontaneously organize a pleasant activity or party, with a maximum of 250 people. A massive neighborhood barbecue or birthday drink in the park will soon be possible, provided that those present keep enough distance. Fairs and fairgrounds can also open again, with no maximum number of visitors.

Maximum numbers no longer apply to large organized indoor or outdoor concerts, which is good news for concert halls such as Ahoy or the Concertgebouw. Events are also allowed again, if organizers “can organize their activity at 1.5 meters”, Rutte said on Wednesday. This is expected to remain impossible for festivals in practice.

Discotheques and night clubs are the only ones not allowed to open for the time being. This summer, the Cabinet will examine whether this can be justified again from 1 September.