Yippee! Another easing of the coronavirus measures from 1 June
Last week, Prime Minister Mark Rutte announced the new coronavirus measures, with the biggest bright spot being: the hospitality industry can reopen from 1 June (YES!). Based on the government guidelines, Koninklijke Horeca Nederland (KHN) has adapted its guidelines for reopening the hospitality industry in a protocol written earlier. And that is good news for pairs!
I don’t know if it’s just me, but I often find that the announced measures raise more questions than they answer. Not entirely surprising, because no two hospitality venues are the same, but the rules do apply to all hospitality businesses. Just to give an example: if 30 people, excluding staff, are allowed in a restaurant, what happens with a restaurant that has several rooms? Also noteworthy: the adapted protocol has not been approved or established by the government, but according to KHN it is in line with the regulations that apply from 1 June, so you can take it as accurate.
These are the key points (while it still applies that everyone must sit at a table, that there will be a health check at the door and that reservations are mandatory for indoor seating):
Just the two of you? It’s allowed!
The cabinet initially wanted to apply the 1.5-metre rule everywhere in the hospitality industry, without exceptions. Fortunately, KHN lobbied against this. The outcome is that not only people from the same household do not have to keep 1.5 metres apart from each other in hospitality venues, but so-called ‘pairs’ (a reservation for 2 people) may also sit within 1.5 metres of each other at a table and at the bar.
Table service after all
Another piece of good news is that guests seated at a table may be served within 1.5 metres. ‘If the check-in conversation has taken place upon arrival, employees may take orders, serve and clear tables within 1.5 metres while guests are seated at the table.’ Staff may wear a face mask, but it is not mandatory. That therefore depends on the individual hospitality business.
The new measures for restaurants and cafés at a glance:
- there is a maximum of 30 guests (excluding staff);
- you must make a reservation in advance;
- everyone must keep 1.5 metres apart, except people from the same household and 2 people sitting together at a table or at the bar;
- during a check-in conversation before the restaurant visit, it is assessed whether a visit poses any risks;
- there is no maximum number of people on terraces. However, everyone must sit at a table and keep 1.5 metres apart (except people from the same household and pairs).
If the coronavirus remains under control, the measures will be eased from 1 July and restaurants and cafés will be allowed to accommodate a maximum of 100 guests.
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