DON’T MISS
IamExpat FairIamExpat Job BoardIamExpat Webinars
Newsletters
EXPAT INFO
CAREER
HOUSING
EDUCATION
LIFESTYLE
EXPAT SERVICES
NEWS & ARTICLES
Home
Expat Info
Dutch news & articles
Dutch government ignores EU advice for vaccinated people
Never miss a thing!Sign up for our weekly newsletters with important news stories, expat events and special offers.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy

Dutch government ignores EU advice for vaccinated people

Never miss a thing!Sign up for our weekly newsletters with important news stories, expat events and special offers.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy
or
follow us for regular updates:



Related Stories

Coronavirus-proof Christmas events in the Netherlands this winterCoronavirus-proof Christmas events in the Netherlands this winter
Travelling during the coronavirus crisis: What are your rights?Travelling during the coronavirus crisis: What are your rights?
What to look out for when travelling during coronavirusWhat to look out for when travelling during coronavirus
July 2021: 13 things changing in the Netherlands from todayJuly 2021: 13 things changing in the Netherlands from today
Financial support for you and your business during coronavirusFinancial support for you and your business during coronavirus
RIVM warns against fake coronavirus vaccination invitationsRIVM warns against fake coronavirus vaccination invitations
Data leak allows anyone to download fake CoronaCheck certificateData leak allows anyone to download fake CoronaCheck certificate
Three-quarters of expats say coronavirus impacted their mental healthThree-quarters of expats say coronavirus impacted their mental health
For expats of all colours, shapes and sizes

Explore
Expat infoCareerHousingEducationLifestyleExpat servicesNews & articles
About us
IamExpat MediaAdvertisePost a jobContact usSitemap
More IamExpat
IamExpat Job BoardIamExpat HousingIamExpat FairsWebinarsNewsletters
Privacy
Terms of usePrivacy policyCookiesAvoiding scams

Never miss a thing!Sign up for expat events, news & offers, delivered once a week.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy


© 2025 IamExpat Media B.V.
© 2025 IamExpat Media B.V.
Apr 22, 2021
Victoria Séveno
Victoria grew up in Amsterdam, before moving to the UK to study English and Related Literature at the University of York and completing her NCTJ course at the Press Association in London. She has a love for all things movies, animals, and food. Read more

The EU health agency, European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), has issued advice to all member states, arguing that if a group of people who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 meet, they do not need to stick to the basic coronavirus rules. However, the Dutch government has decided to ignore this advice for the time being. 

EU agency says vaccinees can meet freely without masks or distancing

According to the ECDC, those who are fully vaccinated do not have to keep distance or wear face masks when in the presence of others who are also vaccinated. Furthermore, the ECDC states that when fully vaccinated young and middle-aged adults meet unvaccinated people, masks and physical distancing are also unnecessary, unless one of the people present is vulnerable or at risk.

In addition to this, they advise that, after travelling abroad, vaccinated people should not be required to present a quarantine statement or proof of a recent negative coronavirus test unless they have been to a country with a new, more dangerous variant. 

“While relaxation of the protection measures must be done gradually and based on careful assessments of the risks involved, we are confident that increased vaccination coverage will have a positive and direct impact towards returning to normal lives,” said Andrea Ammon, ECDC Director.

The Netherlands asks whole population to adhere to the basic rules

In spite of the recent change to official advice, the Netherlands has decided to stick to the original advice, asking those who are (fully) vaccinated to continue to follow all the coronavirus measures currently in place. 

The Ministry of Health has said they are looking into the advice, but feel it is “undesirable” to make a distinction between the vaccinated and unvaccinated. “At the moment, we know that vaccinees are well protected against disease and death from the virus, but it is not yet completely certain that people will no longer be able to infect others with the virus after vaccination,” explained a spokesperson.

Members of the population who are vaccinated are therefore required to wear masks, wash their hands as much as possible, and maintain 1,5-metre distance from others. The government has not yet indicated when these so-called basic rules will be lifted.

By Victoria Séveno