The Netherlands will allow 100% capacity in sports venues and football stadiums from September 25 as long as attendees over 13 years of age present a COVID-19 vaccination certificate or a negative test, the Dutch Government announced.
Prime Minister Mark Rutte told a news conference that sporting competitions and events with seated audiences could be re-organized “in full”, ending the two-thirds capacity limitation that was implemented at the beginning of the season.
The Royal Netherlands Football Federation and the Eredivisie, in a joint statement, were satisfied with the total reopening and said that the clubs will be able to return “to capacity of 100% from Saturday”.
“We did not always agree with the Government,” added both organizations, although they stressed that the negotiations with the Executive “have managed to bring us up to this moment.”
“All attendees are vaccinated, have tested negative or have antibodies. People sit outside and cannot roam the stands, so the number of contacts is still limited, “added the federation and the Eredivisie, referring to measures that had already been applied since the beginning of the season.
The first game of the first division with 100% capacity will be Willem II – PSV Eindhoven, on September 25 at 16:30 local time (14:30 GMT), corresponding to the seventh round of the Eredivisie.
In addition to sports venues, the COVID certificate will be required to enter cafeterias, restaurants, theaters and cinemas where the safety distance of one and a half meters cannot be maintained. EFE (HN)