| Phase of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021 | Description of COVID-19 infection rates and containment measures | |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 |
Phase 0 week 1–8 | - No confirmed COVID-19 infections in the Netherlands |
|
Phase 1 week 9–22 | - First wave of COVID-19 infections - First lockdown (that is, promotion of good hand hygiene, social distancing, working at home, and schools, restaurants, amusement industry closed) - Highest infection rates: week 15 | |
|
Phase 2 week 23–40 | - Decrease in infection rates - Gradual relaxation of restrictive measures - Lowest infection rates: week 28 | |
| 2020–2021 |
Phase 3 2020 week 40 to 2021 week 3 | - Second wave of COVID-19 infections - Stricter containment measures, start of a partial lockdown followed by a strict lockdown (curfew, and schools, stores, and sport facilities closed) - Highest infection rates: weeks 44 and 52 |
| 2021 |
Phase 4 week 4–16 | - Emergence of the Alpha variant (B1.1.7) of concern, further increase in infection rates, and continued lockdown measures - Highest infection rates: week 16 |
|
Phase 5 week 17–43 | - Decrease in infection rates - Gradual opening up of society and only minor restrictions - Lowest infection rates: week 26 | |
|
Phase 6 week 44–52 | - Epidemic rise with the Delta variant (B.1.617.2) of concern and a steep increase in infection rates - Lockdown measures reintroduced - Highest infection rates: week 48 | |