Corona: rules for arts and culture

Additional measures from 14 October

From 14 October 22:00 hours additional and stricter measures are in place:

In general the maximum number of people allowed inside 1 room with seating is 30, including children up to 12 years.
Groups may be a maximum of 4 people, or more if they are from the same household.
Most events are prohibited, exceptions are: (trade) fairs and congresses with at most 30m people per room, demonstrations and gatherings and (food) markets.
In locations with a good, continuous flow of people (museums, libraries, monuments) the maximum number of people allowed will be determined in consultation with the Safety Region, depending on the size of the location and guaranteeing 1.5 metres distancing. Visitors should reserve a time slot. Groups may be a maximum of 4 people.
For outside activities with no flow of people the maximum number of people is 40. Groups may be a maximum of 4 people, or more if they are from the same household. If there is a good flow of people, the maximum number of visitors will be determined by the size of the location and guaranteeing 1.5 metres distancing.
Visitors must reserve a timeslot.
The government strongly advises wearing face masks indoors in public spaces. They will be mandatory shortly, but this measure is still being worked out. Read more on face masks and your company

Please note: If and when the measures above differ from those below, you should follow these new additional measures.

Rules and guidelines

The basic corona rules remain in place. In addition there are national guidelines for the cultural sector. Also check the rules for your municipality with your safety region (in Dutch). Safety regions can close off an establishment for up to 14 days if several infections originating there have been identified.

For several (sub)sectors protocols have been drawn up. You can find these on the Dutch-language website Mijn coronaprotocol. Please note: a protocol is not legislation, but an elaboration of the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment's (RIVM) advice for the workplace.

Indoor and outdoor activities

With all cultural activities, , you need to comply with the following rules:

Guests must maintain 1.5 metres distance, unless they are part of the same household.
Your staff must maintain 1.5 metres distance both from guests as well as from other staff.
You ensure a good routing and flow of visitors, for instance at the entrance, exit and toilets.
Members of the audience are not allowed to sing along (loudly) or shout.
Staff and visitors comply with the basic rules at all times.

Number of visitors

The number of visitors you may receive depends on the amount of space you can offer and whether or not they stay in 1 place.

Cinemas, concert venues and theatres

Do your visitors mainly stay in 1 pace? Such as in cinemas, theatres and concert venues or outdoor concerts? For all indoor locations with seating, the maximum number of people allowed in 1 room is 30, and:

visitors should make a reservation
you perform a health check (you ask visitors beforehand if they experience any corona related symptoms)
you only offer seating
groups may be no larger than 4 people, unless they belong to the same household

Museums, libraries and festivals

Is there a good flow of people and are only a few people in 1 place at a time, for example in a museum, library or at a festival? Then there is no maximum to the number of people you may receive. The amount of space you have determines how many people you may receive (at 1.5 metres distance). For some locations a health check is mandatory, for instance museums. Visitors must reserve a time slot and groups may not need exceed 4 people (except if they belong to the same household)

Festivals are not allowed from 14 October, for at least 4 weeks.

Self-employed dancers and actors

Do you work as an independent actor or dancer? You must maintain 1.5 metres distance, except in case:

you cannot maintain 1.5 metres performing a specific scene, partner dance or choreography
you have more than 1 dance partner (for instance in a quartet) or perform with more than 1 counterpart

Singers, vocal groups and choirs

Are you an independent singer? You may rehearse and perform if you follow the basic rules. You must maintain distance from your musical accompaniment and your public. For vocal groups and choirs additional rules apply, for instance on ventilation, health checks and registration of choir singers.

Voucher or refund

Did you cancel an activity due to the coronavirus and are you unable to reschedule your performance, festival or concert? You may offer your customers an alternative date or a voucher (credit note). A voucher must cover the costs of the ticket and extra costs such as service or booking fees. Customers have the right to ask for a monetary refund even if they did accept a voucher or if you did manage to reschedule.