Parliamentary committee of inquiry into COVID-19

The coronavirus pandemic was a protracted global crisis that had a profound impact on Dutch society, as the cabinet took measures that had far-reaching consequences for everyday life. The House of Representatives also played a key role in the decision-making process regarding the crisis response. The parliamentary committee of inquiry was established to conduct a thorough review of this period, and to arrive at an account of events that is broadly supported by the House of Representatives. The aim is to draw lessons from the coronavirus pandemic in order to be better prepared for any future health crises.

Daan de Kort (VVD)
Chairman
Members of the parliamentary committee of inquiry into the COVID-19 Pandemic. From left to right: Sander van Waveren (NSC), Anita Pijpelink (GroenLinks-PvdA – vice chair), Daan de Kort (VVD – chair) and Peter Smitskam (PVV).

What is the committee investigating?

The committee is looking specifically at how public health interests were balanced against other societal interests during the pandemic. It will also look at how fundamental rights were handled and examine the role of the care sector in deliberations and decision-making. The committee aims to gain a better understanding of the cabinet’s actions, the trade-offs that were made and the evidence these decisions were based on. It will also examine the role and functioning of the House of Representatives. This is how the committee will reach a conclusion and help policymakers draw lessons for the future.

Read the research proposal (in Dutch).

Periods of investigation and themes

The committee will investigate the period from December 2019, when the world first learned that a new coronavirus was spreading in China, to spring 2022, when the measures were rolled back. This will be divided into six sub-periods: the run-up, the first lockdown, the lockdown after measures were relaxed, the vaccination campaign, the COVID certificate and the Omicron lockdown. The inquiry will focus on the political decisions that were taken on key issues during each of these periods.

The committee has also identified six overarching themes for its inquiry:

  • Goals, strategy and crisis management;
  • Trade-offs, dilemmas and proportionality;
  • The role of advisers and the interaction with civil society organisations and critics;
  • Public communication by the cabinet and the crisis management organisation;
  • The role of the House of Representatives;
  • Learning capacity and lessons for the future.

Timeline

The parliamentary inquiry will be divided into four phases and is expected to take around three years to complete.

  • In the first phase, the committee will requisition information and documents. On 22 May 2024, letters of requisition were sent to some 30 organisations, ministries and institutions. The remainder of this phase will be used to study the requisitioned documents.
  • In the second phase, which starts in February 2025, the committee will conduct closed preliminary interviews with experts, administrators, decision-makers and other stakeholders.
  • In the third phase, set to begin in spring 2026, public hearings will be held.Witnesses will be called to testify under oath in the House of Representatives’ Inquiry Room.
  • In the fourth and last stage, the committee will write its final report, which is expected to be presented in December 2026.

Throughout the inquiry, the committee will carry out various working visits. So far, it has visited Nijmegen, The Hague and London.

What is a parliamentary inquiry?

A parliamentary inquiry is the most powerful investigative instrument available to the House of Representatives. This will be the 15th parliamentary inquiry after the Second World War.