The Dutch authorities announced new entry rules for third-country nationals and EU member states travellers, following the government’s national lockdown imposed due to the Omicron virus variant. According to a press release issued by the official site, starting from 22 December, arrivals from third countries, regardless of their vaccination status, must present a pre-departure test, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.
In addition, travellers from the EU and Schengen Zone must present a PCR or antigen test before departure, even if they are fully vaccinated, recovered or holders of the EU Digital COVID-19 Certificate. “All travellers from the age of 12 years from outside the EU/Schengen need to provide a negative COVID-19 test result for travel to the Netherlands. This needs to be a NAAT/PCR test with the sample taken a maximum of 48 hours before departure or an antigen test with the sample taken a maximum of 24 hours before departure. This includes travellers with proof of vaccination or recovery,” the press release announces.
Furthermore, arrivals with a vaccination or recovery certificate reaching the Netherlands from very high-risk areas are required to quarantine for ten days upon arrival, with the possibility to end the isolation time on the fifth day, provided they present a negative test result.
Travellers coming from countries with a virus variant that have tested positive for Coronavirus and people who live with them and all other contacts must self-quarantine for ten days. Moreover, the Dutch authorities remind travellers to provide the declaration form, regardless of their quarantine obligation.
As the country has entered a lockdown designated to minimise the spread of the virus variant over the end of the year holidays, all gyms, public spaces, bars and other leisure activity facilities have closed until the lockdown ends.
In addition, no more than two guests will be permitted at homes, with this limit being stretched out to four during Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
“A lockdown is drastic, especially with the holidays just around the corner. But we must act as a precaution; the risks and uncertainties with the new Omicron variant are too great,” the Dutch Minister of Health Hugo de Jonge said.
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