Things are looking up in the Netherlands.
Last night PM Mark Rutte outlined the new rules, which will come into force on June 5. Originally, the third phase of lockdown easing was supposed to begin on June 9 but it has been brought forward 4 days. Moreover, Rutte also announced that he would be accelerating the speed with which restrictions will be eased in the Netherlands.
Upon announcing this acceleration, Rutte said: ‘once again we are taking a calculated risk […] this ends the lockdown’. Although some things will remain closed, come June 5, most things will re-open and those that remain closed will be the exception. For example, nightclubs will not open. However, pubs and restaurants will.
From next Sunday (June 5), Amsterdammers will be able to eat on restaurant terraces until 10 pm, and buy alcohol in supermarkets until 10 pm. We haven’t been able to do this for a long time now. Museums, zoos, theatres, saunas, amusement parks and cinemas can also reopen from Sunday but there will be capacity restrictions in place so that only 50 people at a time may visit these attractions.
If you go to the pub you must only sit with 3 other people (total 4). The final two steps of the lockdown easing are now going to be merged, so that steps 4 and 5 take place together, and this will happen on June 30. If you have any questions about the restrictions, the government website has plenty of information to help you understand what is happening and when.