If you are not yet protected against COVID-19, and you have had contact with someone with COVID-19, you must go into quarantine. This video explains what quarantine means and what rules to follow.  See also Quarantine and isolation.

During the previous survey round in mid-June, vaccination was proceeding well, and the epidemiological figures were showing very favourable trends. Confidence in coronavirus policy increased for the first time in a long while, and support for extending measures for a much longer period decreased. Since then, the relaxed measures implemented at the end of June and the subsequent surge of the coronavirus have resulted in a major change: public confidence in policy has fallen again in the current survey round (28 July – 1 August), while support for continuing to maintain measures has risen.

In the period between survey rounds 12 and 13, a number of coronavirus measures were relaxed. The most important relaxed measures are listed below. Travelling abroad was possible again; the opening hours of cafés and restaurants were extended (from 06:00 to 22:00 hrs); the number of visitors allowed at home was increased from two to four people; indoor sports were possible again; and indoor swimming pools, libraries, zoos, museums, amusement parks and music and dance schools reopened. 

RIVM will be researching whether air quality affects the course and severity of COVID-19 in the Netherlands. In the future, this knowledge may contribute to improving health in the Netherlands before or during a pandemic, such as the current coronavirus pandemic. The study will be conducted in conjunction with Utrecht University, Wageningen University and Research and GGD-GHOR Nederland. The research results are expected to be published in 2023. 

The World Health Organization (WHO) has designated RIVM reference laboratory for COVID-19. A recognition of our wide-ranging and in-depth expertise on coronaviruses. This video anwers 4 questions about the WHO reference laboratory for COVID-19. Watch the video.

Number of reported positive tests among children in week 41 ( 11 - 17 October 2021) The number of reported COVID-19 cases per 100,000 inhabitants increased in the past week among children in all age groups and among adults (≥18). Both the number of tests and the percentage of positive tests increased last week among children in all age groups and among adults (≥18).