Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic urges governments worldwide to take sufficient measures to stop the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. As a result, policy makers must keep re-evaluating measures that protect public health on the one hand but might infringe fundamental rights and freedoms on the other. For example, some measures taken in The Netherlands regard group size, thus limiting the right to freedom of assembly. Places of worship have been and are currently exempted from measures, including the obligation to wear a face mask and show a valid ‘COVID-pass’ at the entrance. However, a legislative proposal is now pending which includes the possibility to close places of worship in case of a COVID-19 outbreak. This paper discusses the evolution of the Dutch COVID-19 measures with respect to places of worship, and places some critical remarks at the former and current COVID-19 policy as well as the pending legislative proposal.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 223-236 |
| Number of pages | 14 |
| Journal | Revue Européenne de Droit Public = European Review of Public Law |
| Volume | 34 |
| Issue number | 1 (123) |
| Publication status | Published - 2022 |
Keywords
- covid-19
- COVID 19 pandemic
- pandemic
- freedom of religion
- Grondwet
- godsdienstvrijheid
- constitution
- religious practice
- religieuze bijeenkomsten
