Dear reader,
Things are finally getting better on the Covid front here in the Netherlands, but it’s still too early to be sure of traveling here, I’m afraid! If you’re thinking about it, book fully refundable!
Mark Rutte – still our Prime Minister for the foreseeable future – held another press conference on Tuesday and the message was basically “Maybe we can lighten up on the regulations, but we’ll see.”
Our numbers are finally going down: fewer new infections, fewer people in hospital with Covid. However, the goal was to have the numbers of new hospital admissions go down by at least 20 percent before easing the restrictions, and they’ve only gone down 16 percent.
Loosening restrictions
So Rutte explained a series of adjustments, but they aren’t going to happen until we reach that 20 percent. He seems pretty confident this will happen, but on May 17 we’ll hear for sure if these measures go through.
Maybe the swimming pools and gyms will be able to open again, with limitations on numbers and a requirement to stay socially distant.
Group sports might be allowed again outside, but keeping a distance.
Maybe the amusement parks, zoos, petting zoos, miniature golf, open-air museums and other such outdoor amusements will be able to open, with social distancing and limited numbers.
Maybe music, dancing, and acting lessons can start up again, with distancing and other limitations.
Maybe sex workers can work again. (Yes, the Prime Minister specifically listed this.)
All of these with a big “maybe” attached.
Notice that museums won’t be able to open. Gyms with all of that sweat and heavy breathing are okay, not to mention the same thing with sex work … but a masked, socially-distanced museum visit? No.
The most important change – maybe – is that the hours for sidewalk cafes to be open will be extended. Right now they’re only allowed to open with their outdoor tables from noon to 6 pm, but this will be extended to 8 pm, which is marginally better. It makes dinner a possibility, but it’s not really warm enough yet to enjoy sitting outside to eat.
All of this is considered Step 2 of a plan to reopen. On June 1 we’ll hear about Step 3 – maybe.
Vaccinations
As of now, almost 7 million shots have been given; I don’t know how many of those were first and how many were second shots. This week the planning is that 962,818 shots will be given, to be exact. With a population of 17 million, we still have a ways to go, but it’s definite progress.
And I’m one of those 7 million! I had my first shot this week. My arm hurts, but it’s worth it for the hope of traveling again this summer!
Travel
That leads me to the question of travel. As I’ve mentioned before, I’m a travel blogger and I’m feeling absolutely desperate to travel right now, so that’s what I watch most closely.
At the same press conference, Deputy Prime Minister Hugo de Jonge addressed the issue of travel.
We might be allowed to travel to certain countries: those designated as green or yellow. Right now no countries in the world are green or yellow. They’re all orange (only essential travel) or red (no, don’t go there), and quarantining is required on return to the Netherlands. On May 15, we’ll hear which ones might change to green or yellow.
There are still so many questions, though. Our infection rate is higher right now than any of the neighboring countries. We might be allowed by Dutch guidelines to visit our neighbors in Germany or Belgium, for instance, but will they want to let us in? That still remains to be seen.
Will we have to quarantine when we return from other countries? As of now, yes, but will that continue? What if we’re fully vaccinated?
In the meantime, I’m planning travel on the assumption that the rules will ease up, at least for people who are fully vaccinated, which I will be at the end of June. A possible cruise in early July, then a trip with my husband in mid-July in Germany, then a trip to the US in September.
Will any of this travel happen? Maybe.
Have a great week anyway!
Met vriendelijke groeten,
Rachel
P.S. I write about independent travel at Rachel’s Ruminations. Please join me there!
P.P.S. Please let me know if there are any particular questions that you have about the Netherlands that I could write about. You can leave a comment below or, if you’re a subscriber, just hit reply and send me an email!