The Dutch cities of Amsterdam and Rotterdam announced Thursday the obligation to wear a mask in the most frequented places, such as the famous Red Light District, in order to limit the spread of the virus. The day before, the government team responsible for managing the pandemic had deemed it unnecessary to make the wearing of a mask compulsory throughout the country, while leaving the regional authorities the freedom to take this measure.
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Along with the Scandinavian countries, the Netherlands is one of the last European countries to still oppose the generalization of the wearing of masks. The Amsterdam health authorities have, however, decreed that wearing a mask will be compulsory from August 5 in the most frequented places, including the Red Light District and its red neon-lit windows welcoming sex workers.
This neighborhood reopened on July 1 after almost three months of closure due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In the port city of Rotterdam, it will also be compulsory to wear a mask in shopping districts and shopping centers from 5 August. These rules will apply to people over the age of 13 in both cities and violators will be fined.
Prime Minister Mark Rutte recently called on the Dutch to respect social distancing rules as the number of infections was on the rise in the country, especially among young people. According to the latest count from the authorities, 53,000 cases of Covid-19 contamination have been detected in the Netherlands, including 6,145 deaths.