Vaccinated Americans are once again permitted to travel to the Netherlands without quarantine as the government makes a quick U-turn on border controls.
Less than two weeks after imposing quarantine for all travelers from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, the Netherlands is reversing that decision. From September 22, fully vaccinated US travelers will be permitted again to enter the Netherlands without quarantine, provided they can show proof of vaccination. In addition, they must get tested for COVID-19 before traveling and present a negative result to enter the Netherlands. The same entry protocols will apply to all vaccinated arrivals aged 13 and over from other “very high-risk” countries including the United Kingdom.
However, strict border controls apply to unvaccinated tourists from the US and the UK who cannot travel to the Netherlands for essential reasons. If they must travel, they are required to undergo mandatory quarantine and testing.
Moreover, rules are changing on the ground too. From September 25, a health pass, or proof of vaccination/recovery/negative COVID-19 result, will be required to enter venues such as restaurants, bars, and theaters across the Netherlands. Travelers coming from the EU/Schengen area can use their EU digital COVID certificates as proof. Those coming from a non-EU country can show their official paper record as proof; for Americans, that’s the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) card, while British travelers will utilize the National Health Service (NHS) card.
On the day the health passes are introduced, the Associated Press reports that social distancing will no longer be required in public spaces in the Netherlands. Consequently, mask rules are also relaxed and no longer required in shops and other busy public spaces, but people still must wear them on public transport and in airports.
If you’re planning a trip to the Dutch capital, you can expect some changes that aren’t necessarily associated with the pandemic. Amsterdam, which had previously struggled with overtourism, now faces new strategies for balancing its allure with livability for locals.
Before Amsterdam faced the challenges of COVID-19, it received a record 20 million international visitors in 2019, leading to rising concerns among residents. Complaints about overcrowded areas, littered streets, and increases in tourist-centric shops drove officials to initiate changes.
The pandemic offered the city a rare opportunity to reset. Now, Amsterdam is implementing new strategies to mitigate the effects of tourism and increase local quality of life. Measures include new restrictions on short-term vacation rentals in the city center and a ban on tours in the Red Light District. Moreover, starting next year, non-residents will be prohibited from buying cannabis in the city’s coffee shops.
Additionally, in June, the city council launched a campaign encouraging tourists to respect the city’s cultural heritage, while urging those who do not to stay away.
In a statement, the city council emphasized the importance of respectful tourism: “We do not want to return to the past, where massive crowds caused disturbances in the city’s entertainment areas. Visitors who respect Amsterdam and its residents are welcome, while those who do not are not.”
This article was first published on June 28 and updated on September 16, 2021.
