This afternoon at 2:00 p.m., Prime Minister Mark Rutte addressed the nation in a press conference. The Dutch government voiced serious concerns over the UK variant of the coronavirus and stressed the urgent need for tougher measures to curb its spread alongside other emerging strains.
Anticipated for some time, a nationwide curfew now looms closer, pending House of Representatives approval. If enacted, it would restrict outdoor movement from 8:30 p.m. to 4:30 a.m., with exemptions for essential medical or work-related needs.
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Visitor rules are also tightening: no more than one guest aged 13 or older per day at home, and limit visits to one location daily.
Travel advisories are ramping up—stay in the Netherlands until March 31. From Saturday, January 23 at 00:01, flights from high-risk countries face a ban. Incoming travelers must show a negative PCR test (within 72 hours pre-departure) and a rapid test (no older than 4 hours before boarding), plus a 10-day quarantine on arrival.
The curfew's final status remains uncertain—we await House approval. Clearly alarmed by new variants, the cabinet deems these steps essential. All measures apply at least until February 9, 2021.
