Now that the corona infections are on the rise again in the Netherlands, a mouth mask is under discussion. In many countries within and outside Europe, the mouth mask obligation is very 'normal'. In these countries, wearing face masks on the street and in public buildings is very common. In the Netherlands that is absolutely not the case, here you only have to wear a face mask on public transport and on the plane. Last week our government even discussed it and it was concluded that there is no scientific evidence for wearing a mask that it helps prevent corona infections and is therefore not mandatory (with the exception of public transport and airplanes). The government's municipality is now allowed to experiment with corona measures. That is why, from today, the municipality of Amsterdam and Rotterdam will set up a mask for duty in certain busy and tight areas.

This mouth mask obligation applies to both outside on the street and inside in shops. The municipality of Amsterdam probably wants to experiment with this in the next four weeks. The mouth mask obligation applies to everyone aged 13 and older. The mouth mask requirement does not replace the one and a half meter rule. It is an experiment and they will first set up the mask for the Red Light District, the shopping streets Kalverstraat / Nieuwendijk and the markets on Plein '40 -'45 and Albert Cuypstraat. Then it will be examined whether other busy areas in Amsterdam will follow. Communication materials are used in these areas and free masks are distributed during busy weekends in these areas.

'I want to be able to look myself deeply in the eye when this whole misery is over and say to myself: I have not left any measure unused to prevent one Rotterdam resident from dying or contracting corona. Above all, it will enhance the feeling of keeping your distance, 'says Aboutaleb in the AD.

Rotterdam will also experiment with this. In Rotterdam, from 5 August, a mouth mask is mandatory for certain busy and tight areas. Here, too, the mouth masks are mandatory for everyone aged 13 and older. The mask also does not replace the one and a half meter rule. This facemask requirement applies to the shopping areas in the center, on all major markets and in the covered shopping centers Zuidplein and Alexandrium. In the coming days it will be examined whether this will also apply to the covered shopping centers Keizerswaard and Binnenhof. The mouth mask requirement applies from 06:00 am to 22:00 pm and for markets it only applies on market days. If you do not wear a mask in these experimental areas in Amsterdam and Rotterdam, you risk a fine of 95 euros.

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