From January 23, 2021, 00.01:XNUMX a.m., it applies The Netherlands a flight ban for aircraft from the United Kingdom, Cape Verde, the Dominican Republic, South Africa and countries in South America.
New highly contagious variants of the COVID-19 virus are emerging in these countries. The flight ban is there to prevent these new variants from spreading further in the Netherlands. From this date, a mooring ban will also apply to ships with passengers from the United Kingdom.
Countries with a no-fly zone
A flight ban applies to the following countries from January 23, 00.01:XNUMX:
- United Kingdom;
- South Africa; and
- Cape Verde.
The flight ban also applies to the following countries in South America:
- Argentina;
- Bolivian;
- Brazil;
- Chili;
- Colombia;
- Dominican Republic;
- Ecuador;
- French Guyana;
- Guyana;
- Panama;
- Paraguayan;
- Peru;
- Surinam;
- Uruguay; and
- Venezuela.
Ban on travel by ferry
Ferries with passengers from the United Kingdom are no longer allowed to moor in the Netherlands from January 23, 0.01 am.
Exception for truck drivers
Freight transport from the United Kingdom is still possible. Drivers on ferries from the United Kingdom are required to take a rapid antigen test. This test may be no more than 24 hours old when they board the ferry.
After 23 January to the Netherlands or to Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba: contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the embassy
If you have to fly or sail back to the Netherlands or to Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba from the countries for which a flight ban applies due to an emergency, you can contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (BZ) or the embassy in the country where you resides. They will try to help you as best they can. But it is not certain that you can return soon.
Exceptions to flight ban and mooring ban
The following persons are excluded:
- medical staff and patients;
- seafarers in possession of a seaman's book are exempt if they travel in the performance of their duties or if they travel to or from their activities. The exception does not apply to seafarers on commercial yachts and pleasure craft;
- personnel working in the aviation sector and traveling for it in the exercise of their profession:
- there is an exception for the repatriation of Dutch nationals;
- The Dutch government does not organize repatriation flights. It is likely that after January 23, 2021 there will be no more passenger flights to the Netherlands or to Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba. The government advises Dutch nationals abroad to return before then or to prepare for a long-term stay.
The flight ban applies in any case until 22 February 2021, or earlier if there is reason to do so.
Source: Rijksoverheid.nl
