Health board staff have traced over 1,000 cases of coronavirus back to last month’s Amsterdam Dance Event.

The local health board (GGD), says its contact tracking programme has identified at least 1,027 cases associated with the ADE, although the real total is likely to be far higher.

‘Some people will have done a self test and found they are infected, and not reported that to the GGD,’ a spokesman said. ‘People from abroad were also at the event and we don’t know about any infections they may have either.’

The ADE was held from October 13 to 17 and some 300,000 tickets were sold for the various shows and dance parties all over the city. Visitors had to show a valid coronavirus pass for admittance under the ‘test for entry’ scheme.

The Netherlands scrapped most of its coronavirus measures on September 26 and allowed clubs to reopen, clearing the way for the ADE to take place.

Since then, however, the number of infections has soared to over 7,000 a day, and the government is set to announce new restrictions on Tuesday evening.

When the rules for bars and festivals were first relaxed on June 26, there was a surge in infections among the under 30s, prompting a quick government u-turn just two weeks later.

In particular, the ‘test for entry’ system was suspended for clubs and concert halls after a surge in nightlife-related cases.

Cafes

Meanwhile, Amsterdam council wardens carried out over 300 checks on the city’s cafes and bars at the weekend to find out if corona passes were being looked at, as required.

‘Dozens’ of places were caught out and will learn on Wednesday if they are to be fined or closed down, the Parool reported on Tuesday.

Mayor Femke Halsema said on Friday that she would step up checks following widespread reports that the rules were being flouted and a surge in coronavirus cases in the capital.

Halsema was criticised earlier for saying that wardens would not carry out controls on the city’s cafes and night spots.