Lockdown to Minimize Contacts

Note: the date of this news item is December 14, 2020. Read the Dutch measures against coronavirus.

• Read the news item Lockdown in order to minimise contact between people in English.

Among others, museums and theaters, amusement parks and zoos, casinos and saunas, indoor sports facilities, hospitality and hotel catering facilities are closed. Also, shops such as clothing stores, shoe stores, jewelry stores, and hobby shops are closed. The cabinet tries to limit contacts as much as possible. Supermarkets, bakeries, butchers, and other food stores can remain open, as well as pharmacies, drugstores, and gas stations. See the complete list of shops that remain open. Contact professions such as hairdressers, nail stylists, and tattoo artists are closed. Only (para-)medical contact professions may continue their work.

Schools in primary and secondary education and institutions for MBO, HBO, and university education provide distance learning to limit contacts. Exceptions are allowed for students in exam years, practical education, exams and tests, and vulnerable children. Childcare is closed. Children of parents with a crucial profession can attend primary school or childcare. These measures apply from Wednesday, December 16, 2020, until at least Sunday, January 17, 2021.

Stay home as much as possible, also during the holidays. We know this is an effective way to reduce infections. Meeting fewer people means less chance to infect others and makes it harder for the coronavirus to spread.

Working from home remains the norm unless absolutely necessary to go to work. The cabinet advises to receive no more than 2 guests aged 13 or older at home per day. On December 24, 25, and 26, 2020, an exception applies: up to 3 guests per day are allowed, excluding children under 13. Outside, the group size limit is 2 persons, also during Christmas. Do not travel or book trips until mid-March unless strictly necessary. Adults may exercise alone or in pairs at least 1.5 meters apart and only outside. Children up to 17 years may play team sports and matches but only outdoors.

The basic rules remain: keep 1.5 meters distance from people outside your household, wash hands often, and stay home and get tested if you have symptoms, however mild. Infected persons should seek help from others for errands so they can stay home.

It is important to follow these guidelines to keep the lockdown as short as possible. On January 12, 2021, the cabinet will assess which measures remain necessary after January 19.

In the coming weeks, it is important to show resilience again, as earlier this year. A lockdown greatly impacts society and the economy. Therefore, the cabinet supports entrepreneurs and workers with the support and recovery package, designed to adapt: those with more turnover loss receive more support. For more information, see the support and recovery package overview.

Now more than ever, it is important to care for each other. These measures are drastic for all of us, but studies show most people support them. Like this spring, despite measures, we try to pay extra attention to those around us, even if at a distance or digitally.

From Tuesday, December 15, 2020, at least until January 19, 2021:

• Only go outside with your household or a group of maximum 2 people.
• Receive at home a maximum of 2 persons aged 13 or older.
• Several locations close:
  • Shops (except essential goods like food),
  • Contact professions like hairdressers, nail studios, sex establishments,
  • Theaters, concert halls, cinemas, casinos, etc.,
  • Zoos, amusement parks, etc.,
  • Indoor sports locations like gyms, swimming pools, saunas, wellness, etc.,
  • Restaurants and cafés.
• Hotels are open, but hotel restaurants and room service are closed.
• Urgent advice to work from home.
• Adults may exercise alone or in pairs, only outside. Children up to 17 may play team sports and matches, only outside.
• Public transport is only for essential travel.
• Do not book or travel abroad until mid-March unless strictly necessary.
• Only (para-)medical contact professions are allowed.

From December 16 until at least January 17, educational institutions mainly provide distance learning. Secondary education may allow practical education, exam lessons, and exams on location. MBO, HBO, and university may conduct exams and practical education. Exceptions exist for vulnerable students. Childcare and after-school care are closed during this period.

Children of parents with crucial professions may attend primary school or childcare and after-school care.

Exceptions:

• On December 24, 25, and 26, 2020, you may receive 3 persons aged 13 or older at home.
• Healthcare must remain as accessible as possible. (Para)medical professionals may continue working.
• Shops mainly selling food, drugstores, pharmacies, opticians, hearing aid providers, repair and maintenance shops may remain open. DIY stores may offer pickup services.
• Service points for receiving and sending packages may remain open.
• Locations for business services (banks, mortgage providers, real estate agents) remain open. Municipal offices, courts, and other government locations remain open.
• Book pickups at libraries remain possible.
• Community centers remain open for services to vulnerable people.
• Top athletes in top sports competitions may train and play matches.