Have you been on holiday in a country with an orange or red travel advisory… and now what?

There is a chance that you contracted the coronavirus while on holiday. That is why the urgent advice is to go into quarantine for 10 days after returning home. Who does and does not this apply to?

  • Young children aged 0–4: As a precautionary measure, these children should stay at home for 10 days and not go to childcare. This is because there is frequent and intensive contact between childcare staff and the children during care, feeding and cuddling. Parents should also stay at home. You can find more information about this at BoINK.info.
  • Primary school children: No symptoms? Then you may go to school and out-of-school care and do not have to quarantine after the holiday. However, parents are strongly advised to stay at home for 10 days. This means that these children cannot be taken to school by their parents. Ask neighbours, family, friends or the parents of friends whether they can take the children to and from school if necessary. You can find more information about this at BoINK.info.
  • Secondary school students: Stay at home for 10 days. Consult with your mentor and/or school about how to keep up with the lessons during those days and what is possible with distance learning. It has been agreed that the compulsory education authorities will not enforce attendance requirements when secondary school students have to self-quarantine at home for 10 days.
  • Parents and other caregivers: The urgent advice is to stay at home for 10 days.
  • School and childcare staff: The urgent advice is to stay at home for 10 days.

You can find more information at Rijksoverheid.nl.

Do I have to wear a face mask at school?

Each school makes its own policy on this. For example, a number of schools in the Netherlands have made wearing a face mask compulsory.

However, this is not a government measure. In the Netherlands, the government has only made wearing a face mask compulsory on public transport and in some places where this has been chosen because of the crowds. According to the RIVM, there is limited scientific evidence for the effectiveness of non-medical face masks. It is more important to follow the basic rules.

Anyone who feels more comfortable wearing a face mask is of course allowed to do so. However, make sure that you also follow the basic rules.

Read more about face masks and their use on the Rijksoverheid website.

What are schools and childcare centres doing to ventilate?

Good ventilation is important for reducing the risk of viruses such as coronavirus spreading. The education councils have prepared the guidance document Coronavirus and the use of ventilation, heating and cooling in schools for schools.

Many schools and childcare centres have already investigated the state of ventilation in their buildings. They have been advised to regularly open doors and windows opposite each other for 15 to 20 minutes. They also avoid airflows from one person to another, for example by using fans. Schools and childcare centres also check whether the rooms they use for activities such as physical education are suitable for this purpose. They also check whether the air exchange is adjusted accordingly.

If schools and childcare centres are unsure whether the ventilation meets all requirements, they are advised to contact the GGD.

Are you, as a child, parent or employee of a school or childcare centre, worried? Discuss your concerns with the management of the school or childcare centre.

What if you feel anxious about starting school or childcare again?

Returning to school after the summer holidays is always enjoyable and also a little exciting for most children, parents and staff. But this year it is extra challenging because of the coronavirus and the constantly changing measures. We all have to learn to deal with this. Feelings, tension and uncertainty are understandable. Discuss them with others.

As a parent or professional, it is also important to pay attention to children’s and young people’s feelings about returning to school and childcare. What are their concerns, and what solutions can you come up with together to alleviate them? Children are generally good at dealing with change. However, it is helpful to discuss this with each other beforehand, so that they are not faced with any surprises.

Risk group

Is a child, young person, parent or school or childcare employee part of a risk group? In that case too, it is very important to talk to each other. Do not judge or try to convince each other. Listen to the other person’s concerns and put the interests of the child or young person first.

Parents can read tips on the page Returning to school and childcare, and tips on talking to children can be found on the page Talking to children about the coronavirus.

What are the rules at school or childcare after the summer holidays?

Returning to school or childcare may be slightly different. There will be rules to maintain distance, promote ventilation and comply with hygiene measures. These will be implemented differently at each school and childcare centre, and those involved will be informed about them. If you have questions, contact the school or childcare centre.

Different rules apply with regard to maintaining distance:

  • Childcare and (special) primary education: Children do not have to maintain distance from each other or from adults. Adults must maintain distance from each other.
  • Secondary (special) education: Children do not have to maintain distance from each other, but they must maintain distance from adults. Adults must also maintain distance from each other.
  • Further education: Everyone must maintain a distance of one and a half metres from each other.

More information about the measures can be found at Rijksoverheid.nl.