The Netherlands drops predeparture testing ahead of Easter travel surge
The Netherlands has dropped predeparture COVID-19 testing, making travel to the Land of Windmills easier for travelers regardless of their vaccination status.
The announcement was among a raft of changes to Holland’s COVID-19 restrictions starting Wednesday, March 23.
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The requirement to test before entering a nightclub will also be scrapped.
However, the country still expects all travelers to take a self-test immediately upon arrival in the Netherlands, and another one five days after arriving in the country.
You must also complete a health declaration form.
Related: Canada is dropping pre-arrival testing for vaccinated travelers as of April 1
Mask mandates for public transportation, as well as taxis, coaches and ferries, will also be lifted ... but masks will still be required at airports and on flights.
This comes after Dutch flag carrier KLM said passengers no longer have to wear masks on flights, putting the company at odds with its own government.
“We find it disappointing that the use of face masks during boarding and during the entire flight is still being considered by the Dutch government, while this has been abandoned everywhere in the Netherlands,” a KLM spokesperson told TPG UK.
Related: KLM plans to stop monitoring face masks this week, despite Dutch government rules
“The sector finds this approach inappropriate, given the phase the pandemic is in,” the airline added. “It is also at odds with European and international developments that we monitor closely."
KLM said it's seeing "an increase in [misunderstandings]" with passengers and "a growing number and also more serious incidents with ‘unruly’ passengers, which may negatively affect the safety of a flight."
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Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.Pros
- Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
- Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
- First checked bag free
Cons
- Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
- SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
- New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees