The introduction of the “coronavirus pass”, a digital certificate that enabled people who had been vaccinated or recovered from Covid to go to museums and events, did not infringe on fundamental rights, judges in The Hague said on Wednesday.

Three opponents of the “test for entry” system went to court at the end of 2022, arguing that the use of the pass was a way to force people to get vaccinated and demanded compensation.

The system was introduced in September 2021 and phased out in February 2022. While it was in use, people could only go to events or visit bars if they had a digital pass, proof they had been vaccinated, a negative test result, or a certificate of recovery. 

The pass was one of a raft of measures introduced by the government to try to combat the spread of the virus. 

The situation in September 2021 was so risky and unpredictable that the state acted reasonably in introducing the pass at that time, the court said in its ruling.  

The pass was introduced at a time when new variants of the virus were being discovered and that it was unclear how infectious they were, the court said. Nor was it clear at the time what the long-term consequences of infection were. 

The state had taken expert advice before implementing the system and ended it as soon as possible, the court said, adding that “Some people may have been hindered in their participation in society, but others were protected in their rights.”