Read the video transcript here
Amy Smulders / graphic designer
“
It's Monday and I'm ready to go on vacation to Rhodes.
The weather is very bad here in Holland, it is snowing.
I'm really happy to come into the sun
. "
Amy Smulders belongs to a group of Dutch tourists who went on vacation on Monday - despite the corona pandemic.
Amy Smulders / graphic designer
“
We're at the airport now.
We have already passed the PCR test for Covid.
I think that will be fine.
We have to check in now, we're off to Greece.
«
The trip is part of an experiment that the Dutch government is carrying out in collaboration with a tour operator and the national health authority.
The experiment is intended to provide information on how holidays can be safe despite the corona pandemic.
Mattijs Ten Brink / Tour Operator
"
If you all behave yourself and come home healthy, then the other 17 million Dutch people can do the same and we will enable them to have a great summer vacation
."
More than 25,000 people applied to take part in the so-called ›Rhodes Experiment‹: The selected group is allowed to spend eight days in a hotel complex.
All inclusive, with access to the pool, restaurant and other facilities.
The whole thing for 399 euros.
But there is a catch.
Nobody is allowed to leave the resort, nobody is allowed to go to the beach that is close enough to touch.
Amy Smulders / graphic designer
"
We're in the elevator to our room
."
They must be at least 1.5 meters apart in the system.
In addition, they must undergo several corona tests before, during and after the trip and remain in quarantine for at least five days after their return to the Netherlands.
Amy Smulders / graphic designer
“
At home I was in lockdown, now I'm back, but in a different country.
The environment is different, that's nice.
I enjoy being somewhere else.
If that means I can't leave the hotel, that's okay too.
I'm still on vacation and the sun is here.
«
Apart from the additional staff, there are no other guests present as the resort opens exclusively for the project.
For the tour operator, this is an attempt to get money into the empty coffers.
Mattijs Ten Brink / Tour Operator
“
I think this could be the future for the next month, two, three.
I don't think that if the number of tourists increases, this is a sustainable model, but you have to start somewhere
. "
Amy Smulders is only allowed to look at the beach and the sea from the balcony.
She doesn't care, the main thing is vacation.
