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Consequences of the tightened coronavirus measures for martial arts
In response to the extremely rapid spread of the omicron variant of the coronavirus, the government has tightened the measures. Sport is no exception.
The measures now in force took effect on 19 December and apply until 14 January. On 12 January the government will decide whether they will be extended, lifted or tightened further. If changes are needed before that date, the government may also decide on this in the interim.
Indoor sports locations are closed. Training sessions and competitions for recognised elite athletes are an exception to the closure of sports locations.
Outdoor sports locations may be open between 5.00 and 17.00. For adults aged 18 and over, sport at outdoor sports locations is permitted with a maximum of 2 people at a distance of 1.5 metres, not counting the instructor. For children up to and including the age of 17, training sessions and matches against opponents from their own club are permitted at outdoor sports locations. While playing sport, the children do not have to keep a distance of 1.5 metres.
* * * Update 4 January: From 11 January, sport for young people up to and including the age of 17 will again be possible outdoors until 20:00, as the government announced on 3 January.
Rules for outdoor sport
Organised outdoor sport in public spaces is also permitted after 17.00. In that case you are supervised by an instructor, with a maximum of 2 people at a distance of 1.5 metres. So you can train together, but pad work and sparring are not permitted. Children up to and including the age of 17 are allowed to take part in organised group sport at outdoor sports locations, subject to conditions, for example in consultation with the municipality.
A call for more sport
Also on behalf of the VA (Nederlandse Vechtsportautoriteit, the Dutch martial arts authority), the sports umbrella organisation NOC*NSF and the POS (Platform Ondernemende Sportaanbieders, the platform for commercial sport providers) have once again emphatically urged politicians to encourage physical activity rather than making sport more difficult. The coronavirus crisis has also become a physical activity crisis. Millions of people are doing less sport and therefore living less healthy lives, at a time when people's resistance needs to be up to standard. The sports federations fear that this will lead to damage to health, to children's development, and to society, because sports clubs and gyms are being weakened. The VA therefore continues, together with other sports organisations, to insist that sport be seen as part of the solution.
For more information about the measures, see rijksoverheid.nl and nocnsf.nl
Read also: Early evening lockdown makes playing sport difficult