With Christmas fast-approaching, lots of people are planning last-minute getaways.
And with its festive markets and quaint canal-side setting, Amsterdam is a popular November and December holiday spot.
Also, with it being a short train ride away – it’s easy to see the appeal.
But with Covid cases dramatically on the rise, it seems the Netherlands is the first western European country to impose a winter lockdown.
So what are the current Netherlands travel restrictions? And what do the new lockdown measures mean for tourists planning to visit?
What to know about the Netherlands lockdown
New lockdown measures mean that bars, restaurants and non-essential shops will have to close at 8pm – for at least three weeks, from Saturday November 13.
What’s more non-essential retail and services, such as hairdressers, will close at 6pm.
Audiences will be banned from sporting events in the coming weeks, but schools, theatres and cinemas should remain open to visitors – with social distancing in place.
Gatherings at home will also be limited to a maximum of four guests.
It’s unclear how long these measures will be in place for after this three-week initial period, so it could be that these are lifted in December.
What to know about the Netherlands travel restrictions
Unless you can prove that you have been fully vaccinated, UK residents and citizens arriving from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are not able to enter the Netherlands for non-essential purposes.
Fully vaccinated UK travellers are able to enter if they can provide proof that they have been double-jabbed at least 14 days before travel. Proof of this can be in the form of the NHS Covid Pass on the NHS app.
These travellers must also present either a negative PCR test result taken in the 48 hours before departure, or a negative antigen test taken in the 72 hours before departure.
Those who meet these requirements are exempt from quarantining in the Netherlands.
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