New coronavirus measures: face masks are back, more working at home again and coronapass entry in more locations

Greater focus on the basic rules

First of all, it is important that everyone continues to follow the basic rules, even if they have been vaccinated. The better we do this together, the less the virus can spread and the fewer restrictive measures will be necessary. The basic rules have proved successful in preventing infections.

The basic rules:

• Get tested if you have COVID-19 symptoms: stay at home and get tested by the municipal health service (GGD), even if you’ve been vaccinated.
• If you test positive, stay at home and avoid contact with others, even if they have been vaccinated.
• 1.5 metres is a safe distance. Protect yourself and others.
• Don’t shake hands.
• Wash your hands thoroughly and regularly.
• Cough and sneeze into your elbow.
• Ensure a good flow of fresh air indoors.

Working at home and advice for travel

The government is strongly recommending people work at least half the week at home rather than at the office. People are also being urged to travel outside rush hour.

From 3 November 2021, the current advice for working from home will be tightened. From that date onwards, you should work from home for at least half of your normal hours. We know that working from home is an efficient way to combat the spread of coronavirus. It helps to reduce the frequency of contact between people.

If you do have to go to work or you go on a trip during your leisure time, avoid busy places while travelling and go outside peak hours.

Face masks mandatory in more places

Face masks Masks will once again be compulsory in all public buildings where coronavirus passes are not required from November 6.

From 6 November, face masks will be mandatory again at more locations. You must once again wear a face mask in all indoor public spaces where coronavirus entry passes are not required. This includes:

• inside all buildings accessible to the public and in covered areas where coronavirus entry passes are not required, such as:
  • supermarkets, shops, libraries, play and gaming venues, amusement parks, etc.;
• on public transport, at stations (including shops at stations), on platforms and at bus and tram stops;
• at airports and on aircraft;
• when moving around secondary vocational schools (MBO) and higher education institutions (HBO and universities). You can take your face mask off when seated;
• where necessary, in the case of contact-based professions. This applies to both the client and the service provider.

You must wear a face mask in these places. If you do not, you risked being fined €95.

Coronavirus entry pass required at more places

From 6 November, coronavirus entry passes will be required at more locations. Using the entry pass system reduces the likelihood of the virus circulating at these locations. Only admitting people who have recovered from COVID-19, have been vaccinated or have tested negative considerably lowers the risk of infection for all visitors. Although the system cannot rule out the possibility of becoming infected, it does ensure that people can come together as safely as possible. It also helps to keep most locations open at full capacity.

It is important that all locations where a coronavirus entry pass is required scan the pass and check the person’s ID. All visitors must show their personal QR code and a valid form of ID.

Coronavirus entry passes are required from 6 November:

• at establishments serving food and drinks, both indoors and in outdoor seating areas, except for takeaway;
• at casinos;
• at cultural locations such as theatres, music venues and cinemas;
• at locations where there is a continuous flow of visitors in sectors where coronavirus entry passes are already required. This includes museums and historic buildings;
• at events with a continuous flow of visitors who do not have an assigned seat, such as fun fairs and certain sports events;
• at events such as festivals and live performances, whether or not visitors have an assigned seat;
• at business events, such as trade fairs and conferences;
• for spectators at professional and amateur sports matches and competitions. Spectators under the age of 18 at amateur sports matches and competitions are exempt from this requirement;
• when taking part in organised sports activities from the age of 18. This includes gyms, group lessons, football and swimming. This applies to participants and spectators at all indoor and outdoor sports facilities, including sports canteens and clubhouses;
• when taking part in artistic and cultural activities from the age of 18, such as music and painting lessons and singing, dance and theatre rehearsals.

Organised activities for children aged under 18 are exempt from the coronavirus entry pass requirement.

You can get a coronavirus entry pass if you are fully vaccinated, have valid proof of recovery or a negative result from a coronavirus test taken less than 24 hours before entry. For people without proof of vaccination or recovery, getting tested for entry will remain free of charge.

You can generate a coronavirus entry pass using the CoronaCheck app on your mobile phone. You can also show a coronavirus entry pass on paper. Staff at hospitality establishments and organisers of events, sports matches and cultural activities can download the CoronaCheck Scanner app, so that they can easily check the validity of entry passes.

Use of the pass was already compulsory in theatres, concert halls and cinemas.

Testing remains free.

Booster vaccinations

From December, over-80s will be offered a booster vaccine from December. Nursing home residents will also be offered an extra jab next month. From January, everyone aged 60 to 80 will be able to have a booster vaccination and once they have been triple jabbed, everyone else who wants a booster will be able to come forward.

Looking ahead

The government is preparing other measures that may need to be taken in the near future if we cannot curb the trend in infections. At locations where visitors are required to show a coronavirus entry pass, such as in the hospitality sector, the government wants employers to ask their employees to also show a coronavirus entry pass. In addition, we want to make it possible for employers in other sectors to opt for coronavirus entry passes. This option should also be open to the healthcare sector, for both staff and visitors. And finally, the government wants to be able to introduce coronavirus entry passes at other locations that large numbers of people visit on a daily basis, such as non-essential shops, as well as zoos and amusement parks. These measures must be able to be used specifically in towns and villages with a low vaccination rate and a high number of infections and hospital admissions.

These measures are being prepared in consultation with parties such as employers and employees. They also require parliamentary approval. The situation will be reassessed on 12 November following advice from the Outbreak Management Team (OMT).

 

[Source: The government of the Netherlands]

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This is an ongoing situation and it is advisable to check the websites of the relevant authorities to obtain the most up-to-date information.

To keep updated with advice from the government and the RIVM, head to:

http://government.nl/coronavirus

https://www.rivm.nl/en/novel-coronavirus-covid-19