OMT: At events, request test certificate from all, even the vaccinated

Advice from the Outbreak Management Team (OMT) has suggested that, for certain large-scale events and nightclubs, the Dutch government should make a recent negative coronavirus test mandatory for all, including those who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. 

Using coronavirus access tests for the fully vaccinated

Anyone who hopes to make use of the CoronaCheck app to travel or attend an event or festival is currently required to present one of the following:

• A recent negative coronavirus test (max. 24 hours old)
• Proof of recovery from COVID-19 within the last six months 
• Proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (at least two weeks before activity)

Under the current rules, anyone who is fully vaccinated isn’t required to get tested. However, the OMT feels that, in order to limit the spread of coronavirus as much as possible, fully vaccinated people who attend an event with large numbers of people where 1,5-metre distance isn’t maintained should also be required to present a negative test. 

The ID&T Group - an organisation that represents 90 festivals and live music venues in the Netherlands - has agreed that being fully vaccinated will likely not be enough to be granted access to festivals and events. Instead, everyone in attendance will have to present a recent negative coronavirus test.

Dutch government to enforce stricter rules for CoronaCheck?

The OMT also asked the government to look into whether the CoronaCheck app can only be used once in a 24-hour period, to ensure that members of the public aren’t hopping from one nightclub to another and causing widespread circulation of the virus. 

Furthermore, the OMT found that, even if fully vaccinated people test positive for the virus, their CoronaCheck vaccination certificate isn’t (temporarily) deactivated, which means they’re still granted access to events and crowded spaces.