Dutch clubs to close at night as government imposes three-week lockdown

Clubs in the Netherlands must close by 9pm for three weeks, under new rules imposed by the Dutch Government.

The restrictions, which came into effect on Saturday, 13th November, have been put in place in response to an alarming increase in COVID-19 cases in the Netherlands, which recently hit a new high in transmission rates.

Prime Minister Mark Rutte confirmed that the restrictions will remain in place until Saturday, 4th December, though the possibility also remains that the shutdown of venues will continue past that date.

The partial lockdown will also sees bars, restaurants and non-essential shops forced to close by between 6 and 7pm. Sports events will not be able to go ahead with spectators in the stands and people are also being encouraged to work from home as much as possible. Schools, theatres and cinemas will remain open.

Around 85% of the adult population in the Netherlands has been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to date.

The closure of clubs at night is a new blow to the nightlife industry in the Netherlands, which has suffered several setbacks as the country has gradually tried to emerge from lockdown. 

In August, thousands attended Unmute Us! protests against nightlife restrictions across six cities after the Dutch Government ordered a complete shutdown of clubs and music venues in July, just weeks after they were first permitted to reopen.