Due to the corona measures, it is quieter than usual in many places in the Netherlands, but it sometimes got busy on Saturday. This happened on beaches, at waste stations and on trains, among other things.
It was busy on the beaches of Zandvoort, Bloemendaal and Noordwijk, among others. “Despite earlier warnings, signs and calls, the beaches were filled with holidaymakers,” said the municipalities, urging everyone to stay away.
The mayors emphasize that because of the crowds it is impossible for the beachgoers to keep the necessary 1.5 meters away from others. They call on everyone to “use common sense and respect the guidelines.”
Due to the corona measures and the beautiful weather, it was also busy on Saturday in the Amsterdamse Bos. On social media you can see photos in which people stand in a long line at the Japanese blossom park. The Amsterdamse Bos strongly advises visitors to avoid the Bloesempark on their Facebook page and to walk in other places in the Bos. “The Bos is almost 20 times the size of the Vondelpark, there is enough space to enjoy nature.”
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‘The train is not an outing for a while’
The NS reports that Saturday was “scattered” in the trains, while this was not the case in recent days. Since Saturday, the carrier has been using an adjusted timetable, one that is amply tailored to the number of travelers in recent days.
NS director Rogier van Boxtel emphasizes that the trains will continue to run, for example to bring healthcare workers to work. “If we want to avoid a total lockdown, we have to take responsibility,” he says.
The NS therefore calls on travelers to only take the train if it really has to, and to keep a distance. A tweet from the public transport company ends with “the train is not an outing for a while”.
Also many people in other places
In several municipalities it was busy at the waste stations on Saturday. The Hague even called on residents to come by only when it is really necessary. Rotterdam, Nijmegen and Arnhem, among others, made this appeal earlier this week.
The National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) advises the population to stay at home, among other things, when symptoms of illness occur and to keep them 1.5 meters away from each other where possible. Due to the corona virus, meetings with more than 100 people are prohibited and most catering establishments are closed.
However, this does not mean that people are obliged to stay at home. Jaap van Dissel, director of the Center for Infectious Disease Control at RIVM, emphasized in an interview with NU.nl on Thursday that “we should just use common sense”.
“When the weather is nice, it is fine to sit in your own garden or on your balcony,” said Van Dissel. “But I would just be careful with all kinds of agreements and potential contact.” He also emphasized the importance of keeping a sufficient distance from others.
Whether the Dutch adhere to the rules will determine how long they will last, and whether they may need to be further tightened, says Van Dissel.
Follow the latest developments around the virus in our live blog.
The coronavirus in short
- The coronavirus mainly spreads through sneezing and cough drops. The virus can be transmitted directly from person to person or (for a limited time) through surfaces such as door handles.
- An infected person infects two to three others on average. Precautions are necessary to contain this.
- The vast majority of patients have mild (flu-like) complaints.
- Nearly all deaths involve the elderly or other frail, such as heart, lung or diabetes patients. If everyone complies with the measures, this reduces their risks.
- Read here what precautions you should take.
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