In a move designed to reopen the country following a year of restrictions, the Netherlands government has reversed its decision to make American citizens quarantine on arrival. The Dutch government tightened its rules for people arriving from high-risk areas such as the United States earlier in the month.

All American citizens arriving at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) or any Dutch port or border crossing had to quarantine for ten days regardless of vaccination status. However, the period of self-isolation could be cut in half if the arriving passenger tests negative for COVID-19 on day five.

Americans no longer need to quarantine

Now, after rethinking the restrictions along with a host of other COVID-19 related matters, fully vaccinated American visitors will no longer need to self-isolate starting from Wednesday, September 22, 2021. This new rule also applies to United Kingdom citizens arriving in the Netherlands.

As the Netherlands looks to return to pre-COVID-19 normality, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said that the country would scrap all social distancing requirements from September 25, 2021. Restaurants and bars will also be allowed to return to pre-COVID-19 capacity.

More than 11 million people are fully vaccinated

According to a statement released on the official government of the Netherlands website, nearly 13 million people in the nation had received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Of these people, more than 11 million are now fully vaccinated.

While the 1.5-meter (five feet) social distancing rule will end, the Dutch government is still worried about places that attract large volumes of people. With this in mind, they plan to issue what they are calling a "coronavirus entry pass." The entry pass will be given to the following people:

• People who are fully vaccinated
• People who have proof of having COVID-19 and are now recovered
• People who have a negative test result taken no more than 24 hours before entry into the event or venue

The entry pass will be required to get into the events or venues:

• Festivals
• Concerts
• Professional sports matches
• Cinemas
• Theaters
• Bars
• Restaurants

Events held indoors that do not have fixed seating can have up to 75% of their maximum capacity.

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Face masks are still required in certain places

According to the government of the Netherlands, it does not matter if the location is indoors or outdoors; everyone 13-years-old or older must show the coronavirus pass to enter. Anyone over the age of 14 must also present some form of acceptable identification. In the Netherlands, it is compulsory to carry some form of acceptable ID, which are:

• a Dutch passport or a passport or identity card of a country belonging to the EU or the EEA
• a Dutch identity card
• Driving license 
• Valid foreign passport with permission to be in the Netherlands

The wearing of face masks will remain mandatory at airports, on planes, trains, buses, trams, and taxis. However, wearing masks will no longer be required in train stations or bus, tram, and metro stops. According to the government, a further review of the rules will take place in November.

While it is nice to see that USA and UK citizens will no longer need to quarantine when visiting the Netherlands, there still seems a long way to go before things return to how they were pre-COVID-19.

What do you think about the Netherlands removing the quarantine rule for UK and American citizens? Was it the right thing to do or still too soon? Please tell us what you think in the comments.