It is a second negative test compulsory which stands like a wall against any traveller going to the Netherlands. According to the official Dutch government website, all passengers travelling to the Netherlands must produce a negative result to a covid-19 rapid test (antigen test) carried out shortly before their departure. The test must not have been carried out more than four hours before boarding in the aircraft or ship. The measure thus applies to KLM flight crews.
This requirement is in addition to the a negative PCR test must be carried out no later than 72 hours before arrival in the Netherlands. In addition, travellers must quarantine themselves for 10 days on arrival. After five days, they can be tested again. If the result of this PCR test is negative, they can end their quarantine.
Covid-19 double-test puts KLM's business in jeopardy
As there are no rapid testing facilities close to all ports and airports, the government expects this to be a major issue. the new double-testing requirement will drastically reduce the number of trips to the Netherlands.
For travellers from outside the EU, a travel ban has been in place since March 2020. The government has decided to further reduce the number of exemptions to this ban. As a result business travellersStudents, highly-qualified migrants and professionals from the cultural sector who wish to move to the Netherlands for a short period of time can no longer travel to the country.
The Dutch company KLM will therefore suspend its 270 weekly long-haul flights to the Netherlands. The measure comes into force on Friday because of new health regulations, said a spokesman. The cabin crew union said such a measure amounted to "a death sentence for the national airline."
However, passengers on an intercontinental KLM flight will be able to transfer to a KLM flight. Air France. Subject to availability and network.
The curfew and strict confinement measures are valid until 9 February. The government has also asked the Dutch to avoid travelling until 31 March.
