The House of Representatives (Tweede Kamer) has voted in support of acting Prime Minister Mark Rutte's proposed coronavirus curfew.
9pm to 4.30am curfew in the Netherlands
In order for the House to vote in favour of the measure, Rutte had to push back the start time of the curfew from 8.30pm to 9pm. The curfew will therefore apply from 9pm to 4.30 am.
When the measure will come into effect is not yet known. Rutte had hoped to introduce it this weekend, but some time will be required in order for the necessary preparations to be made. The earliest the curfew can come into effect is Saturday, January 23.
What you need to know about the curfew
Anyone outside of their homes without a valid reason within this time frame will receive a fine of 95 euros, but the violation will not appear on their criminal record. Exceptions to the curfew are:
- Work (i.e. police officers, paramedics, nurses, etc)
- A (medical) emergency
- Assisting someone in need
- Walking a dog
- Necessary travel to leave / return to the Netherlands
- Travelling to / from a funeral
- Travelling to / from court
- Homeless people who do not want to make use of the accommodation available to them
- Attending a live evening TV programme as a guest
Anyone outside during curfew hours will have to have written proof that they can / must be outside.