Impending Covid pass for Dutch stores?

In the Netherlands, also, the face masks in stores have made their return. Shoppers may soon have to present a Covid pass upon entering stores.

Face masks made a comeback

Following Belgium, the Netherlands is also reintroducing compulsory face coverings: as of 6 November, Dutch consumers are required to wear a face mask in stores, supermarkets, public premises and more. According to RTL Nieuws, for jobs that require close physical contact, face masks are mandatory “where necessary”.

At the same time, the Netherlands is expanding the use of the Covid pass. In the hospitality industry, visitors have to present their Covid pass and at all types of events, when playing sports and, for example, at the cinema.

Local Covid pass in the making

In the future, there could even be a Covid pass for retail, although this idea is met with considerable opposition from the trade industry itself. The government is considering imposing a compulsory Covid pass locally in certain cases, specifically in towns and cities with lower vaccination coverage and high hospitalisation rates. The pass may then also be required in non-essential stores.

It is not certain that this will happen, but the Dutch government is already paving the way by preparing an amendment to the law. The Dutch Retail Council (RND), however, called the proposal “unacceptable and impracticable”, while fellow organisation INretail used the words “absurd” and “pointless”.

Besides being “technically impracticable and unaffordable for retailers”, the RND also finds the measure disproportionate. However, if the Covid figures do not improve soon, resigning Prime Minister Mark Rutte is already threatening to take new measures. The decision will be made on 12 November.