COVID-19 info

On this page, you can find the following information:

• Protocol at specific IDFA locations
• Hygiene guidelines and precautions during IDFA
• Additional guidelines and precautions for industry professionals
• Symptoms and testing
• Traveling to the Netherlands
• Useful links
• FAQ

Protocol at specific IDFA locations

Like in previous years, IDFA takes place at various locations. The staff of those locations and our festival staff on site will follow the applicable protocol so that all visitors can have a safe and pleasant festival experience. In addition to the below measures, all cinemas in the Netherlands follow the Protocol verantwoord bioscoop en filmtheaterbezoek van NVBF (only available in Dutch).

You can also find specific protocols for each venue via the links below (only available in Dutch).

Pathé Tuschinski
Eye
De Balie
Tolhuistuin (DocLab)
de Brakke Grond (Industry)
Artis Planetarium (DocLab)

Hygiene guidelines and precautions during IDFA

• When entering the venue we will perform a healthcheck
• Please wear a face mask when walking around inside the venue. Once you're seated wearing a mask is not mandatory.
• When leaving the venue after the screening please follow the instructions of the IDFA crew
• Buy your tickets online at IDFA.nl
• In order to avoid crowds in the lobbies, come to the screening 15 minutes before the film starts at the earliest
• Always keep a 1.5 meter distance from others
• Wash or disinfect your hands when entering a location
• Follow the indicated route to the screening hall
• Don't shake hands, touch your face as little as possible, and cough or sneeze into your elbow
• Visit the toilet before the start of the film and avoid leaving the screening hall during the film
• Your seat will be predetermined, and our staff will lead you to it
• Leave the screening hall immediately after the film via the indicated route
• Always follow the instructions of the personnel
• Stay at home if you have symptoms related to COVID-19; we also ask you to stay at home if someone from your household has such symptoms (scroll down to the section “Symptoms & testing” for more information)
• Our team keeps a close eye on current developments around COVID-19, consults with the health authorities on a daily basis, and will respond to all changes quickly and thoroughly, informing the guests and audiences in a timely and precise manner.

Symptoms & Testing

If you develop symptoms while being in the Netherlands there are two things to do: stay home/in your accommodation and get tested. If you feel better and have not had any symptoms for 24 hours, you can no longer infect others and it’s safe to go out again.

The main symptoms that often occur with COVID-19 and should be a trigger to get tested are:

• cold-like symptoms
• stuffy nose
• runny nose
• sneezing
• sore throat
• cough
• fever
• sudden loss of smell or taste.

An appointment to get tested can be made by calling the toll-free number 0800-1202 (or +31 850 659 063 if you're calling from a foreign phone). Getting tested is handled by the municipal health services (GGD) and is free of charge. They will explain the process, give you a date, timeslot and location to get tested. Afterwards you will be called back as soon as possible with the result, usually within 48h. If positive you will have to self-quarantine for at least 10 days and someone from the GGD will contact you for contact tracing.

Traveling to the Netherlands

For the safety of all, we discourage international guests from traveling to Amsterdam this year. All activities for industry professionals will be held online. If you decide to come at your own discretion, we must emphasize that we expect you to check yourself whether any travel restrictions are in place, either by your own government or by the Dutch government, and whether self-quarantine is mandatory when arriving in the Netherlands or returning home. We advise you to check before booking a flight and accommodation, and before travelling.

For most countries outside of the EU and for certain countries/regions inside the EU there is a mandatory 10-day self-quarantine period upon arrival. Please check our government’s website on self-quarantine when planning your trip and before departure as measures often change.

There is no official list by the Dutch government which lists all the countries where there are travel restrictions for people traveling from the Netherlands. Please make sure you are aware what regulations are in effect when coming from the Netherlands back to your home country.

Guests traveling from countries/areas listed by the Dutch government as high risk, will have to self-quarantine for 10 days before taking part of the festival. This will be actively checked. IDFA cannot be held responsible for any costs or delay in attendance if such measures by the government are put into effect (last minute).

Useful links

National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) - information about the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic in the Netherlands: https://www.rivm.nl/en/novel-coronavirus-covid-19

Government of the Netherlands - Information about measures, testing and traveling: https://www.government.nl/topics/coronavirus-covid-19/tackling-new-coronavirus-in-the-netherlands

City of Amsterdam - Information about local measures: https://www.amsterdam.nl/en/coronavirus/coronavirus-(covid-19)-amsterdam/

FAQ