The Dutch government has announced that, from June 30, certain events that take place in the Netherlands will be able to go ahead without the 1,5-metre distance rule being enforced or any restrictions in place for maximum capacity. 

Dutch government relaxes rules for events in the Netherlands

With the next stage of relaxations planned for June 30 - or potentially even June 26 - the government has taken note of the results from the research into the Fieldlab Events from earlier this year and is looking ahead to the future of the Dutch events industry.

Fieldlab Events found that all kinds of events can take place safely so long as all those in attendance test negative for coronavirus, and organisers are able to control the inflow and outflow of visitors. Following the findings from the research, the government has decided that organisers that make use of so-called access tests will be able to host a ticketed event for up to 25.000 people.

Events with access tests will be able to welcome 25.000 people

Visitors with a ticket will be required to present a recent negative coronavirus test, proof of vaccination, or proof of (recent) recovery from coronavirus upon entry to the event, and once inside will not be required to maintain 1,5-metre distance or wear a face mask.

The cabinet also plans to extend this new rule to the catering industry, cultural institutions (i.e. museums and cinemas) and professional sporting events. This would mean a cinema would be able to fill all its seats as long as all ticket-holders present an access test upon arrival.

It’s important to note that the use of access tests is completely voluntary - organisers may therefore choose to make use of them and welcome more visitors, or go ahead without them and receive a maximum number of visitors. 

Multi-day events likely to be permitted from July 29

From the end of June until July 28, this rule will only apply to events that take place across a maximum of 24 hours, but, from July 29, multi-day events are expected to be permitted to take place again. Once this step has been taken, the RIVM advises that all those in attendance at multi-day events are tested not only before entering, but also regularly throughout the course of the event.

In spite of the apparent progress that is being made with regards to the events industry, parties in the House of Representatives (Tweede Kamer) want the government and municipalities to grant event permits at a faster pace to ensure that businesses and the people of the Netherlands can make the most of the summer. While many will likely support this plan, municipalities worry that if too many events take place too quickly, the number of coronavirus infections could once again begin to rise.