Netherlands Follows Spain To Ditch Masks Outdoors From June 26

Netherlands Spain Masks

Netherlands Follows Spain To Ditch Masks Outdoors From June 26. image: Wikimedia

The Netherlands Has Followed Spain And Ditched Masks Outdoors From June 26.

Face masks will mostly no longer be required across the Netherlands and other restrictions will ease from next week, after a drop in COVID-19 cases, Prime Minister Mark Rutte announced on Friday, June 18.

This comes as Spain’s Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, also announced on Friday that the wearing of masks outdoors will not be required from June 26.

Most limits on group sizes will also be lifted from June 26, as long as people can keep at least 1.5 metres (5 ft) apart to observe social distancing, he told a news conference.

“This is a special moment”, Rutte said. “Many times I have stood here to tell you what you can’t do. But now we can focus on what is possible.”

No new limits will be set on the number of guests allowed in stores, bars and restaurants, Rutte said, as long as they keep their distance, or show that they have been vaccinated or have a negative test.

“We can expect a beautiful summer”, Rutte said. “But we need to remain cautious. There are many uncertainties towards the autumn. You can always be stabbed in the back by a new variant.”

However, people will still need to wear masks on public transport and in airports, where distancing is not possible.

Coronavirus infections in the Netherlands have dropped to their lowest levels in nine months in recent weeks as the rollout of vaccinations has gathered pace and earlier this month authorities let bars and restaurants reopen.

Around 13 million vaccinations have so far been administered in the country of 17.5 million people as of Friday. The government has said it is aiming to offer each Dutch adult at least one shot by mid-July.

Almost 1.7 million coronavirus infections have been confirmed in the Netherlands, and more than 27,000 deaths.


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Ron Howells

Ron actually started his working career as an Ophthalmic Technician- things changed when, during a band rehearsal, his amplifier blew up and he couldn’t get it fixed so he took a course at Birmingham University and ended up doing a degree course. He built up a chain of electronics stores and sold them as a franchise over 35 years ago. After five years touring the world Ron decided to move to Spain with his wife and son, a place they had visited over the years, and only bought the villa they live in because it has a guitar-shaped swimming pool!. Playing the guitar since the age of 7, he can often be seen, (and heard!) at beach bars and clubs along the length of the coast. He has always been interested in the news and constantly thrives to present his articles in an interesting and engaging way.

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