Holidays in 2021: there is ‘a way forward’ says Rutte, De Jonge thinks a ‘fine summer’ is possible
Better times: according to caretaker prime minister Mark Rutte the Netherlands has a way forward, holidays included. And caretaker minister Hugo de Jonge is cautiously positive about the summer.
The easings announced at the press conference of 23 February
The press conference was mostly about four modest easings from 3 March.
- There was news for outdoor sports up to the age of 27: training and internal matches are allowed.
- People in contact professions received a positive message too. Apart from sex workers, they may all resume work.
- Secondary and vocational education reopen as well.
- And finally, ‘shopping by appointment’ becomes possible, subject to a number of conditions.
A way forward, holidays included
So the travel industry need not expect any easing yet. In general terms the sector was touched on indirectly.
“We are on the way to better times”, Rutte said at the start of the press conference. “We are on the way to a step-by-step opening of society.”
“Education and hospitality, sport and culture; shops, work and holidays, that way forward… that way forward is there.”
For an explanation the prime minister referred to his colleague. “More on that shortly from Hugo de Jonge. About the road to more room and fewer restrictions.”
The prospect of a fine summer
De Jonge expects more to be possible with each season. “On the threshold of spring we hope to have vaccinated the most vulnerable people, and the people who care for them.”
“And on the threshold of summer all groups at increased medical risk could have been vaccinated”, the ‘corona minister’ went on.
In short, that threshold seems to be the turning point towards major easings. Earlier the turning point had been somewhere between the May holidays and the summer holidays. “(…) As things look now, by summer so many people will have been vaccinated that it really can be a fine summer.”
“– With far fewer measures and far more of what makes life so good. And hopefully that prospect gives us some breathing space in the months ahead.”
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