Exactly one week after the Netherlands turned from orange to red, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has once again adjusted its coronavirus risk level for the country, raising it to the highest level: dark red.
The ECDC map of Europe indicates the severity of the coronavirus situation in countries across the EU, giving each region / province a specific colour which correlates to the infection rate in that area: green, orange, red, or dark red.
An area is labelled dark red if the 14-day cumulative case notification rate for COVID-19 is over 500. Last week, only the province of Groningen was dark red. Now, the risk level of another six Dutch provinces has been raised.
North Holland, South Holland, Utrecht, North Brabant, Gelderland, Overijssel, and Groningen are all dark red. Only Zeeland, Limburg, Drenthe, Friesland, and Flevoland remain red.
While the ECDC’s map doesn’t automatically impact the travel restrictions placed on travellers from the Netherlands, it can impact the restrictions and rules other EU member states impose on the Dutch.
Considering the severity of the situation as outlined by the ECDC, countries could impose a mandatory quarantine rule for travellers from the Netherlands or request that all holidaymakers present a recent negative coronavirus test or proof of vaccination upon arrival.
For example, last week France and Germany both adjusted their entry requirements for people from the Netherlands. Upon arrival in Germany, travellers must now present a negative test result or a vaccination certificate, otherwise they must go into quarantine. A similar rule is in place in France, where unvaccinated travellers are only welcome if they can present a negative test result that is a maximum of 24 hours old.