Less distance, more visitors in cafes & Co .: The Netherlands are lifting a corona rule - but are introducing a health passport.
Observers expect protests.
Amsterdam - The 1.5 meters should become less important in everyday life: From this Saturday on, the corona-related distance rules will no longer apply in the Netherlands.
Prime Minister Mark Rutte said at a press conference last week that this means that more people will be able to visit a café or restaurant at the same time.
Festivals and sporting events in the open air are also possible at full capacity.
However, this does not mean all measures: Instead, the controversial Corona health pass is to be introduced.
It must be shown at these locations.
Netherlands introduces Corona health passport - critics speak of indirect vaccination requirements
In return, people aged 13 and over would have to prove from September 25th that they had been vaccinated, recovered or tested negative, Rutte continued.
He pointed out that Corona health passports are now "already being used in many countries around us".
The Dutch government rejected the accusation by critics that the health passport indirectly introduced compulsory vaccinations.
"You can also get tested to get in somewhere, and that will stay free for the time being," said Health Minister Hugo de Jonge.
Corona in the Netherlands: Protests against health passport expected
The mask requirement remains in place on public transport and in airports, it no longer applies at platforms and tram stops.
Vaccine skepticism is a growing issue in the Netherlands.
Protests against the introduction of the health pass are expected for the weekend.
(frs / AFP)