Frequently asked questions about the Dutch COVID-19 advice

The Netherlands has entered the endemic phase with regard to the corona virus. A new phase in which the virus is constantly circulating among the population, but where the majority has built up resistance through vaccination or an infection. As a result, relatively few people become seriously ill. The disease burden of COVID-19 is now comparable to that of other respiratory infections.

We are preparing for different scenarios related to COVID-19 and will continue to closely monitor the virus.

No, that depends on the WHO (World Health Organization). Depending on their stance, the cabinet will draw up a plan for the transition from an infectious disease under national control to an infectious disease under local control.

Due to previous vaccination rounds and/or COVID-19 contamination, most people in the Netherlands are sufficiently protected against becoming very ill after an infection. We are better protected against the virus now than we were some time ago. That is because of vaccinations, booster, repeat vaccinations and built-up immunity. But the virus is still there. Therefore, we must continue to take care of each other. Especially for people with fragile health, we should continue to pay attention and not infect each other with viruses, such as respiratory infections. The RIVM continues to monitor the situation closely throughout the Netherlands. If protection in general decreases, the Dutch Health Council can advise the cabinet to enable a new round of vaccinations.

Data from Dutch sewage water shows that the amount of virus particles has been high for some time now. However, the number of people who become very ill and have to go to a hospital is decreasing. This is due to an increase of people that are well protected against COVID-19 infections, through vaccination or a previous infection. COVID-19 is therefore always to some extend present in society. We call that an 'endemic' situation. In an endemic situation COVID-19 cases fluctuate.

A majority of people in the Netherlands have built up enough resistance against COVID-19, through vaccination or infection. We also see that the current 'omikron' variant of the virus does not make most people very ill. With that, COVID-19 has become something that is 'with us', like the flu. Therefore, testing for infection no longer offers an added value.

It is no longer advised to test for COVID-19, hence test locations are no longer necessary.

Yes, this way we know if a more contagious or pathogenic variant emerges. It is also monitored whether the vaccination program is still protecting us sufficiently. And which groups are most vulnerable to COVID-19; who is hospitalized with a COVID-19 or admitted to the ICU.