Netherlands imposes mandatory Covid rapid testing for inbound travel
14 January 2021
Passengers to the Netherlands on planes and ferries from England, including truck drivers, must be in possession of a negative rapid test taken immediately before departure.
The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Wednesday January 13 that mandatory rapid testing for travellers from the United Kingdom and South Africa will take effect within a few days.
Rotterdam mayor Ahmed Aboutaleb had already insisted on this measure.
Exemptions to the requirement for a rapid test include seafarers on board ferries or passenger ships who are not leaving the ship or travelling to and from it.
Crew leaving the vessel or travelling to and from it will require a rapid test.
The exemption does not apply to seafarers on commercial yachts and pleasure craft.
This test is in addition to the already mandatory negative PCR test 72 hours before departure.
Last week, the crew of the Stena Line ferry Hollandica, which commutes between Hook of Holland and Harwich, was found to be infected with coronavirus with 16 people now in quarantine. It remains unclear whether this is a more contagious mutation.
Virus variants have emerged in the UK, South Africa and Brazil that appear to be more contagious.
The Dutch cabinet said it will take additional measures to limit the risk of the new variants of the coronavirus spreading and urges people to travel only when strictly necessary.
For more information visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or our Dutch Coronavirus FAQs.
Members experiencing any difficulties related to this subject should first contact their industrial official: industrial@nautilusint.org or the Nautilus 24/7 helpline.
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