Netherlands Starting to See the Light at the End of COVID-Tunnel

24.04.2021

Shops and Restaurant Terraces to Re-Open as more COVID-restrictions Eased 28 April

The Netherlands is slowly but surely re-opening after a long period of lockdown which saw higher education move almost entirely online. From next Wednesday, April 28, the government will finally relax some of its corona measures, like the re-opening of restaurants and shops - albeit it under certain conditions.

The announcement was made this week by the Dutch prime minister, Mark Rutte. The controversial night curfew which currently runs from 10 p.m. - 4.30 a.m. will also fall away on the morning of the 28th. Rutte called the gradual reopening of the country a "balancing act". People are still encouraged to work from home, travel as little as possible and keeping to the basic COVID-rules such as regularly washing of hands and keeping a distance of at least 1.5 m. The most important changes from 28 April are:

Restaurants

The curfew will be lifted on 28 April at 4.30 a.m.

Visitors

After April 28 you can welcome two guests per household instead of one as is currently the case.
Measures to stay in place until at least 11 May are:

Museums are closed
Gyms are closed
Cinemas are closed
Zoos are closed
Casinos are closed
Theatres are closed
Theme parks are closed
Wearing of masks inside all indoor public spaces and public transport modes