Coronavirus infection in the Amsterdam
A number of Amsterdam residents have also been infected. The government has issued measures for the whole of Netherlands. The Amsterdam-Amstelland security area remains in close contact with the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM).
Message from the Mayor
On behalf of Amsterdam’s regional emergency services, Mayor Femke Halsema is calling on all businesses and members of the public in the region to follow the new rules issued by central government. The measures are drastic and have a major impact on public life. We are asking a lot from parents with children, and many local businesses are facing difficult times.
Central government has ordered the closure of all schools, creches, cafes and restaurants (including their terraces), coffeeshops, sports clubs and sex clubs.
Cafes and restaurants in the Amsterdam Amstelland region
Cafes and restaurants are closed as of 18.00 on Sunday 15 March. This includes cannabis coffeeshops. Hotels remain open for overnight stays but are only allowed to serve food to their own guests. Pending a decision by national government, on Sunday evening cafes and restaurants in the Amsterdam-Amstelland region were allowed to continue to serve take-away food for delivery or collection, but with their seating areas closed. After consultation with national government, on Monday it will be decided whether it will remain possible to serve or deliver take-away food in the coming weeks.
Schools and creches
Schools and creches are closed from Monday 16 March. They will only provide for the care of children of parents who work in crucial professions (see the list in Dutch). Many schools are currently actively approaching parents to find out which of them work in these professions. Parents with questions are advised to contact their own creche or school.
All the above measures will remain in force until at least until 6 April.
Finally, the board of the Amsterdam regional emergency services is urging residents not to hoard: this is unnecessary, and it disadvantages and inconveniences other members of the public.
We will keep you updated on what the measures mean for Amsterdam.
Emergency decree
The Amsterdam-Amstelland security area has issued an emergency decree to limit the spread of the coronavirus and to maintain the measures taken by the government on 12 and 15 March. The decree states, among other things, that it is prohibited to gather with more than 100 people. Ignoring this ban can result in high fines and police action. More information about the emergency decree ( in Dutch).
Extra measures
Please read the extra measures as of 12 March for the whole of Netherlands at government.nl. The government has taken further measures on Sunday 15 March. Schools and childcare facilities are closed until Monday 6 April. The same applies to eating and drinking establishments, sports and fitness clubs, saunas, sex clubs and coffeeshops.
Services remain available
The services of the city of Amsterdam remain available to residents and businesses. The City Offices are open. Please, only go to a City Office if it is really necessary.
Waste collection continues on the normal schedules and routes.
Sport halls, parks and swimming pools
Municipal sports halls, gyms, parks and swimming pools are closed until 6 April.
City council meetings are canceled
Meetings of the city council will not take place until 1 April. The meetings of the General Affairs committee (commissie Algemene Zaken) on 19 and 26 March are without a public.
Letter from Mayor Halsema
Mayor Halsema has written a letter about the new measures as of 12 March.
Please read the letter in:
If you have any symptons
Do you have a fever and respiratory complaints? And have you been in these countries or places in the last two weeks or have you been in contact with a patient with the novel coronavirus in the last two weeks? Please contact your doctor by telephone.
More information
For residents in the region, the general health advice remains:
- wash your hands with soap and water
- sneeze and cough into your elbow
- turn away from others coughing or sneezing
- use paper tissues and
- stop shaking hands.
Residents with questions can contact: rivm.nl. If there are any further questions, please call the national information line: 0800 1351
For the most up-to-date information about the virus please see government.nl.
