At the press conference on Tuesday, April 20, Prime Minister Rutte and Health Minister Hugo de Jonge confirmed that a number of coronavirus restrictions were to be lifted from next week. Terraces and shops will reopen from April 28, and Dutch higher education will partially reopen on April 26.
As was outlined in the government’s five-step plan for lifting lockdown restrictions, Rutte announced some measures would be eased from next Monday, but called the gradual reopening of the country a balancing act. No exceptions to the existing restrictions will be made for King’s Day on April 27.
Terraces will reopen on Wednesday, April 28 - but strict rules will apply:
Shopping by appointment has also been scrapped, and non-essential shops can reopen under strict rules:
Entrepreneurs, business owners, and retailers’ associations will be jointly responsible for enforcing the necessary measures and will be expected to ensure that (shopping) streets don’t become overcrowded.
Universities and colleges will partially reopen on Monday, April 26:
Dutch driving license theory exam locations will also reopen from next week.
The curfew first came into effect in January, and after three months it will be lifted at 4.30am on April 28.
Since February, the Dutch government has imposed a limit of one household guest per day, excluding children under the age of 13. From April 28, this rule is being relaxed slightly, allowing for a maximum of two household guests per day.
In addition to this, the government is relaxing the rules for funerals - from April 28, up to 100 people will be able to attend a funeral.
While Tuesday marks a significant step in the move towards reopening the country, several restrictions will remain in place until May 11:
The government will continue to review the measures and the coronavirus situation in the Netherlands over the coming days, with the next press conference scheduled for May 3.