Femke Halsema, Mayor of Amsterdam, is concerned that the rapidly increasing number of coronavirus infections is causing the city to go through a second “partial lockdown”. She says that in conversation with NU.nl on Wednesday.
Halsema says that the possible “partial lockdown” is a concern that follows the health consequences, “because I am very concerned about that in the first place.”
“Amsterdam has already had an incredible blow from the first lockdown. In the economic loss, the increase in unemployment and the enormous uncertainty among many people. You don’t want to repeat that and so you are looking for measures like this.”
With this, Halsema refers to the local mouth mask obligation, which started on Wednesday and applies to parts of the center in Amsterdam, in the hope of influencing people’s behavior.
“I don’t think it is the most beautiful tool that exists, certainly not, but we are looking for ways in which we can influence people’s behavior without having to go back to more radical measures,” Halsema explains, while behind her tourists on the Kalverstraat be reminded of the mouth mask obligation.
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Around the Dam, tourists were warned about the protective mask. (Photo: Pro Shots)
First day ‘is not disappointing’
“What I hope is that this (wearing mask, ed.) Reminds people that this virus is roaming the streets,” she continues. “Because I think a lot of people have just forgotten. You see everywhere in Europe that people forget. Apparently the daily realization that you can get sick is not easy to sustain.”
While Halsema looks through the busy shopping street, adjacent to Dam Square, she says: “I am not disappointed. The vast majority of people wear a mask.”
Earlier in the day, she also noticed that shop staff distributed masks to customers and that they actually continued to wear the fabric patches. “And I think that’s very good on the first day. People also have to get used to it, know where it should and shouldn’t be.”
Mouth mask obligation ‘not a last resort’
According to the mayor of Amsterdam, the mouth mask obligation is therefore not the last resort to increase the infection rates less rapidly. But she cannot say what other possible measures are. Like her colleague from Rotterdam Ahmed Aboutaleb, she points to the cabinet for this.
“The cabinet is in control. If a crisis breaks out again and much more serious measures have to be taken, we will follow the cabinet in implementation.”
Thursday evening Prime Minister Mark Rutte and Minister Hugo de Jonge (Public Health) will give a press conference. According to a spokesman for the Ministry of Health, “additional regional measures if necessary” will be announced.
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