Netherlands eases Covid-19 rules for cafes, gyms, zoos and prostitutes

The Netherlands lifted a host of coronavirus restrictions as of Wednesday, allowing places like zoos and gyms to reopen and prostitutes to receive customers again.

Cafes and restaurants can now serve guests in their outdoor areas between 6 am and 8 pm.

Previously this was only possible from noon to 6 pm.

Events with an audience continue to be prohibited. Museums, theatres and cinemas also remain closed.

Non-essential stores have already been open again for several weeks.

The government had made the easing of a lockdown that went into effect five months ago dependent on a significant decline in the number of infections.

At present, there are around 205 new infections per 100,000 inhabitants in seven days. The number of Covid-19 patients in hospitals is also dropping.