Five bars in Utrecht are to be allowed to open their doors for registered customers for four days next month, as part of an experiment to test coronavirus measures.

Researchers at the TNO institute want to study how owners, bar staff and punters deal with the coronavirus rules and find out more about how they interact with each other.

Guests and staff have to be registered in advance and show a negative coronavirus test at the door People can book 1.5 hour or three hour visits and the experiment will take place from Wednesday April 14 to Saturday.

The trial is supported by the city council and national government, Utrecht’s health board and hospitality industry bodies. The cafes which are taking part are Hofman, de Beurs, Ubica, VinVin and ‘t Oude Pierement.

The Netherlands has already carried out a string of experiments to test how events can be organised safely during the pandemic.

And according to broadcaster RTL the government is working on plans which will allow tens of thousands of people to take part in similar test pilots involving museums, theatres, casinos and zoos throughout April.

The tests, in controlled settings, will take place at locations all over the country. Ministers will discuss the plan in more detail on Thursday, RTL said.