Preparations for the relaxation are in full swing. It will probably be announced on Tuesday that catering, museums, amusement parks and zoos, among others, will be allowed to open their doors again on Wednesday. Sports competitions may also be resumed, with an audience. “The windows are cleaned extra and the paths are cleaned,” says Dierenpark de Oliemeulen.
The catering and cultural sector are allowed to open until ten o’clock in the evening under certain conditions. 3G will apply for access. This means that you must be able to show a vaccination or recovery certificate, or a negative test.
Dierenpark de Oliemuelen in Tilburg is relieved that the doors can open again. “There’s a very nice atmosphere here now.” There is still some work to be done, because the reptile house is full of scaffolding. “All fire detectors are just being replaced, that’s a shame. The visitors will have to get around that, but everyone understands that.”
The lockdowns hit De Oliemeulen so hard that it had to start crowdfunding twice in order to survive. “That was a big blow. The only profitable income for our park is the visitors. If you don’t get that and you have to wait a long time for money from the government, you can’t build anything.” The employees are therefore very happy with the relaxation.
De Beekse Bergen, ZooParc Overloon and Dierenrijk in Mierlo say they are ready for the relaxation. “Everything has already been set up for it, including walking routes and time locks. So we will open as soon as possible. We were sorry that we were not able to relax in the previous rounds. The earlier, the better,” says Linda Engels on behalf of the three parks.
It is already very busy at the catering wholesaler Sligro in Veghel. “Since the end of the lockdown is in sight, catering entrepreneurs have started ordering the products that have a longer shelf life. Now that it is likely that the restaurants will be allowed to open, orders for the fresh products are pouring in,” says Wilco Jansen of Sligro.
The trucks have been driving around from 4 a.m. to supply restaurants. But if you still come with an order, you may miss some products. “The big crowds are expected next weekend, so we have a few extra days for that.”
The Noordbrabants Museum in Den Bosch is well prepared. “We can’t wait to open. The staff and the walking routes are already ready. We are really looking forward to it.” Just before the current lockdown was announced, the museum had just opened an exhibition. It had to close again the same day. “We were able to extend it, so that’s very nice.”
The Stedelijk Museum Breda is also completely ready. “We are really looking forward to it. We still have to arrange things such as enough staff that can be ready tomorrow, but that will certainly work.”