Health Alert – Daily Update Regarding COVID-19, U.S. Consulate General Amsterdam, Netherlands - U.S. Embassy and Consulate in the Netherlands

March 31, 2020 –
Location: The Netherlands

Event: Daily update for U.S. citizens regarding COVID-19 in the Netherlands.

Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive health and security updates and to ensure the State Department can locate you in an emergency.

Please continue to monitor the Embassy’s COVID-19 information page and local news for updates on the situation in the Netherlands.

The Dutch Ministry of Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) has confirmed over ten thousand cases of COVID-19 in the Netherlands.

The government of the Netherlands has implemented measures to limit the spread of COVID-19. Schools, restaurants, bars, cafes, gyms, hair and nail salons, and sporting clubs remain closed until April 6. Most restaurants are allowed to provide delivery and take-away service only. Public gatherings have been banned through the end of May. Any group of more than two people who do not maintain 5 feet of separation, and who are not from the same family, will face fines up to 400 euros. This policy is being enforced in all locations including Schiphol airport. Mayors may close public areas, such as parks and beaches. Visit the Dutch government’s COVID-19 website for more information.

The Department of State has issued a Global Level 4 Health Advisory for COVID-19. Many travelers worldwide have reported unexpected flight cancellations and limited flight availability. If your travel has been disrupted, please contact your airline. The schedule of available flights out of Schiphol Airport remains fluid. These flights may not be daily, please check directly with the airlines for further details. As of today, KLM maintains direct service to New York-JFK, Atlanta – ATL, Chicago- ORD, and Los Angeles – LAX. Delta maintains direct service only to Detroit and Atlanta.

The KLM reservation desk at Schiphol airport has stopped accepting cash for health reasons. U.S. citizens planning to purchase tickets at the airport with cash should contact us for assistance at AmsterdamUSC@state.gov.

Visit the Schiphol Airport Coranavirus webpage for updated travel information if you are traveling through Schiphol Airport. Please check with your airline to ensure you will be permitted to travel to Schiphol for transit onwards to the U.S.

U.S. citizens are prohibited from entering the Netherlands with the exception of those in certain categories of travelers. A fact sheet outlining the Netherlands’ enforcement of EU travel restrictions is available at: https://www.netherlandsandyou.nl/travel-and-residence/visas-for-the-netherlands/qas-travel-restrictions-for-the-netherlands

Effective March 17, 2020 the U.S. Consulate General Amsterdam has suspended routine consular services. For emergency American Citizens Services, including emergency passports, please visit our website for additional information or contact us via email at AmsterdamUSC@state.gov or call +(31) (0) 70 310 2209.

Actions to Take:

 Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts.
 Visit our Embassy webpage on COVID-19 for information on conditions in the Netherlands.
Check with your airlines, cruise lines, or travel operators regarding any updated information about your travel plans and/or restrictions.
 Call a general practitioner or the Dutch Ministry of Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) at 0800-1351 for guidance if you have flu-like symptons.
For the most recent information on what you can do to reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19, please see the CDC’s latest recommendations.
Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website on the latest travel restrictions to the United States. 