At the press conference on April 13, Health Minister Hugo De Jonge outlined a five-step plan that should see the Netherlands come out of lockdown in time for the summer. 

Dutch government presents plan for lifting restrictions

Over the past year, the Dutch government have presented a range of roadmaps for the handling of coronavirus, detailing either how and when further restrictions would be introduced or providing some guidance on when measures can eventually be lifted. 

The latest plan was presented at Tuesday’s press conference, and will come into effect on April 28 at the earliest (dates listed are estimations based on the predicted progression of the virus). Until all measures are lifted, three basic rules will remain in place: 

• Wash your hands regularly
• Cough and sneeze into your elbow
• Maintain 1,5-metre distance
• Avoid crowds
• If showing symptoms, stay home and get tested

Step One - April 28

• Open up higher education (April 26) 
• Open shops 
• Lift the curfew
• Open terraces
• Receive max. two household guests per day (excl. children under 13)

Step Two - May 11

• Make use of access tests
• Indoor sports can resume 
• Indoor art / culture can resume
• More freedom for outdoor sports
• Open outdoor spaces such as theme parks and zoos

Step Three - May 26

• Open restaurants and bars
• Open cultural institutions such as theatres
• Open indoor spaces such as museums and cinemas
• More freedom for indoor and outdoor sports
• Indoor, max. group size of 30
• Receive max. four household guests per day (excl. children under 13)
• When outside, max. group size of four (if not from the same household)

Step Four - June 16

• Trial events to take place
• More freedom for the catering industry / indoor dining
• Indoor, max. group size of 50
• Receive max. six household guests per day (excl. children under 13)
• When outside, max. group size of six (if not from the same household)

Step Five - July 7

• Indoor, max. group size of 100
• Receive max. eight household guests per day (excl. children under 13)
• When outside, max. group size of eight (if not from the same household)

Step Six

• End of all coronavirus restrictions

De Jonge emphasises that plan is not set in stone

The plan is wholly dependent on the number of hospital admissions, the coronavirus vaccination campaign, and the GGD’s testing capacity. The government hopes that by May 11, there should “only” be around 1.500 coronavirus patients in hospital, and by July 7 hospital admissions should be well below 1.000. By then, everyone who wants to be vaccinated would also have received at least one dose. 

These figures and uncertainties mean that the plan is by no means set in stone. “It is not a promise. But if it is possible, this is how it could be done,” De Jonge said on Tuesday. More details about each stage of lifting lockdown will be revealed at press conferences over the coming months. Interestingly, the plan doesn’t include any mention of international travel - decisions on travel advice will be taken separately.