It seems that the Dutch CoronaCheck Scanner app used by all indoor leisure outlets does not recognised non-EU certificates
Translated by Thomas Ansell
Since Saturday evening it has been mandatory to show a CoronaCheck QR code (demonstrating your vaccine/test status) to gain entry to any indoor leisure outlet in the Netherlands. The new rule is intended to let people enjoy places like restaurants, cinemas, etc, without having to worry about any Coronavirus risks now that social distancing has been ditched by the Dutch government.
However, reports nu.nl, large numbers of non-EU Internationals (including students) are finding that they are being barred from entering various establishments because their home country does not issue an EU-compliant Coronavirus certificate. The issue only affects people vaccinated outside of the EU.
Unfortunately, the CoronaCheck scanning app used by bars, restaurants, cafés, and more only recognises ‘DCC’ or EU standard certificates. Perhaps even more of an issue is the delay in verifying non-EU vaccination certificates that can only be done via a special (and overloaded) help desk at the GGD Utrecht.
People that don’t have an EU QR code proving their vaccination status can still go and get a (free) test and then print out their negative result QR code via coronacheck.nl/print. However this is likely to be of little help to those turned down from entering a cinema, for example, 10 minutes before the film they want to see begins.
The Dutch student associations the LSVb and ISO have both made statements highlighting the hit that this issue is causing to many students’ quality of life- especially with large numbers of International students becoming effectively homeless due to a housing shortage across the Netherlands.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Health, Well-being, and Sport said to nu.nl that the Ministry is aware of the problem and is working on a solution.
