Dutch drop UK entry ban; Relax rules for couples, business travel

The Dutch government decided to lift the ban on passenger flights and ferries from the United Kingdom. It also relaxed travel restrictions for a number of people who want to travel to the Netherlands from outside the European Union, including business travelers and people in a long-distance relationship.

The travel ban from the UK was meant to prevent the spread of the B117 coronavirus strain, first identified and currently dominant in the UK. But this strain has already spread in the Netherlands to such an extent that a travel ban no longer has any added value, the government said on Monday when updating the Netherlands on the state of affairs around the pandemic.

From today, Tuesday March 9, passenger flights and ferries can come to the Netherlands again. Travelers from the United Kingdom still need to test negative for the coronavirus before boarding, and they are still urged to quarantine upon in their arrival in the Netherlands.

The ban on incoming flights from South Africa and a number of countries in South- and Central America still applies.

Exceptions were also added to the travel restrictions for countries outside the EU. The following groups are now allowed to enter the Netherlands: business travelers, students, highly skilled migrants, professionals from the cultural and creative sector, and people in a long-distance relationship.