Amsterdam new Covid 19 measures
the rules and travel guidelines are much relaxed with the advent of a Digital COVID passport, which has been instigated in the county since the beginning of July 2021. As of now, Amsterdam allows more travellers to visit the county from all parts of the world.What is a Vaccination passport?
To ease travel within the European Union (EU), which comprises 27 European counties, an EU Digital COVID Certificate has been issued precisely, a vaccination certificate a certificate of recovery or a negative COVID test result. People holding this certificate can enter the Netherlands with ease. In other words, it is termed as a vaccination passport that came into effect from July 1, 2021.
What are the travel norms and the safe country list?
A total of 57 countries (in addition to the 27 European Union Member States), whose vaccination status stands fully vaccinated, and those nations with low rates of infection enjoy restriction-free travel to the Netherlands.
To be deemed fully vaccinated, one has to ensure that the European Medicine Agency approved the vaccine. As per a statement issued by the Government of the Netherlands, one may travel freely to the county without any restriction if travelling from a safe country (with fewer infection rates.) In this case, you don’t have to submit a negative test result or self-quarantine once you arrive in the Netherlands. “You may travel to the Netherlands, the EU travel ban does not apply to you. If you are coming from a country where the risk of contracting COVID-19 is low (a safe country), you do not need to show a negative test result. You are also not required to self-quarantine when you arrive in the Netherlands”-source https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/
What vaccines are approved?
The administered vaccine needs to be approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and should be issued in English, Dutch, German, French, Italian, Spanish or Portuguese. The vaccine Covishield, manufactured by the Serum Institute of India, is also recognized by the Netherlands.
Here is the list of countries that are eligible for restriction-free travel to the Netherlands. The countries are rather termed as safe countries:
Albania, Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brunei, Canada, China’s administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau, Iceland, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kosovo, Lebanon, Liechtenstein, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Qatar, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, United States.
However, it has to be noted that travellers from even the safe county list have to submit a health declaration form before their air travel.
Very High-Risk county list and countries reporting Virus Variant
Countries reporting virus variants are currently banned from entering the Netherlands. They also fall in the very high-risk category. However, under certain exemptions, one can travel to the Netherlands from virus variant listed countries, if their travel purpose is categorized as an exemption. In such a situation, a negative PCR test taken 72 hours before arrival is mandatory for every traveller above 13 years of age. Moreover, these travellers have to undergo self-quarantine for ten-day, which is applicable for everyone, even if they have completed their vaccination.
Here is the list of very high-risk countries with virus variants: Argentina, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, French, Guiana, Guyana, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, South Africa, Suriname, United Kingdom, Uruguay, Venezuela
The same restrictions are applicable for very high-risk countries as well as those reporting virus variants. The list of very high-risk countries are: Costa Rica, Kuwait, Maldives, Mongolia, Namibia, Oman, Seychelles
High-Risk County List
Apart from the safe countries and the very high-risk counties, the rest of the countries fall in the High-Risk category. Travellers entering the Netherlands from a high-risk country are not required to submit a negative report if they are fully vaccinated. Moreover, the traveller’s self-declaration form duly filled needs to be carried along for all air travel journeys.
New COVID-19 Measures in the Netherlands
Since June 26, 2021, COVID restrictions have been eased in the country for natives and for travellers as well. Shopping outlets and restaurants are open with regular hours of operation. However, the eateries are required to follow a fixed seating plan while maintaining a stipulated distance between tables, which is ideally 1.5 meters.
Hotels and other lodging options are also open for tourists, along with catering services, spas and room service. Moreover, cinema halls, theme parks, zoos, and other recreation facilities are open. Yet, a distance of 1.5 meters is mandatory to be followed everywhere.
On the contrary, the country’s nightclubs have closed since July 10 and will remain until August 13, as most infections have been reported in such environments.
Here are some rules to be followed for travellers when in Amsterdam:
- Regular washing or sanitizing hands
- Maintaining a social distance of 1.5 meters in any public place
Keeping oneself in isolation if your body starts showing symptoms of any of the COVID-19 related infections.
Travel Insurance-A vital aspect when travelling to the Netherlands
Travellers who plan to take a trip to the Netherlands are recommended to take a travel insurance which covers pandemic and epidemic like situations. These travel insurances may prove useful in case your return flights get cancelled due to any unforeseen circumstance, including a surge in infection or variant mutation. It helps you to travel hassle-free as well as without spending much during such emergencies.
