At the press conference on Monday, September 28, Prime Minister Rutte and Health Minister De Jonge announced stricter coronavirus measures for the whole of the Netherlands, which will come into effect at 6pm on Tuesday, September 29.
The measures will be in place for three weeks, after which the government will review the national coronavirus situation. De Jonge stated that, if these measures were not effective in getting the coronavirus under control, a second so-called intelligent lockdown may be required.
Rutte again highlighted the importance of the general measures:
Some existing coronavirus measures were strengthened, and additional measures have been added:
Despite pressure from some, the Dutch government has not introduced a mandatory face mask rule. However, Rutte did advise the public to wear a mask when in shops in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, and Eindhoven. This official advice means businesses and shops could, if they choose, refuse entry to a customer not wearing a mask.
In Amsterdam specifically, Mayor Femke Halsema has issued what she calls urgent advice to all inhabitants to wear face masks in all public, indoor spaces. However, this is merely advice, and so face masks will not be compulsory.
There are some exceptions to these new rules. The rule of maximum 30 people for indoor spaces and 40 people outdoors does not apply to: