Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte announced during a press conference on Tuesday (14 September) that restrictions on fully-vaccinated travellers to The Netherlands from designated ‘very high-risk countries’ will be lifted with effect from next Wednesday (22 September).

The rules have previously stated that travellers from these countries would have to self-quarantine for 10 days, with the option to test on day five to shorten the quarantine if the result is negative.

But from Wednesday, travellers from very high-risk countries who have proof that they are fully vaccinated with an EU-approved vaccine will be able to enter The Netherlands freely, with no mandatory quarantine period. This proof can be provided by means of the EU Digital Covid Certificate (DCC) or equivalent certification from non-EU countries.

As the list of ‘very high-risk countries’ currently includes the UK, the US, Israel, India, South Africa, Thailand, and much of Latin-America, Fespa said the news “is significant for many potential international visitors” to the event, which is taking place at the RAI exhibition centre from 12 to 15 October.

Further information is available from The Netherlands government website.

Fespa chief executive Neil Felton said: “Travel to The Netherlands from most of mainland Europe was already seamless for holders of the EU DCC. This lifting of mandatory quarantine for fully-vaccinated visitors from ‘very high-risk’ countries is important, because it will give even more printers confidence to make firm plans to visit Fespa 2021.

“We know that there’s a strong appetite from printers all over the world to get back to our live event, refresh their industry knowledge and see for themselves the hundreds of product innovations that will be seen in public for the first time at the show. There are now no practical travel barriers for most printers who want to be at Fespa 2021.”

Proof of double vaccination will also enable access to the RAI Exhibition Centre and the Fespa and European Sign Expo exhibition area.

The Dutch government’s announcement was accompanied by other adjustments to social distancing measures, and Fespa said its Covid arrangements will be updated accordingly.

In July Fespa provided an update on the features that will be in place at the event and confirmed that it has signed up over 300 exhibitors.