There was some confusion about the duty to report in recent days, because it was unclear whether it applied if, for example, you only wanted to refuel in North Rhine-Westphalia. Our neighboring federal state did not mention this, but various municipalities in the federal state and also the umbrella border organization Euregio indicated that this duty was there.
Also see: Is that allowed to refuel or do some shopping in Germany?
The restrictive measures have now been lifted. Crossing the border is indeed not recommended, says a spokesman for Kreis Borken, but: “There are no checks at the border. Everyone has to decide for himself and goes at their own risk.”
Relieved
The reversal of the notification requirement is good news for Dutch border residents and, conversely, entrepreneurs in Winterswijk, for example, can breathe a sigh of relief. Last Saturday it was extremely quiet in the shopping center and on the commodity market, where it is normally very busy. Especially on a German holiday like Day of Unity.
Because the province of Gelderland was also labeled as code red by the German counterpart of the RIVM and German visitors would have to be quarantined after a visit across the border, the German visitors stayed away on Saturday. This measure for ‘local border traffic for 24 hours’ has been lifted as of today.
‘Find your way in’
That was welcomed in Winterswijk. “We are pleased with it, but we will discuss with the council how we can best shape this”, says Peter ten Hagen, acting chairman of the ABH City retailers association. “We have to find our way and deal responsibly with the regulations.”
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Ten Hagen points out the health risks: “It is nice that the German neighbors can come again for their weekly groceries, but extensive shopping in the center is another thing. For Dutch consumers it also applies that they should do targeted shopping and no longer stay. than necessary, whether or not in combination with a visit to the local catering industry. ”
He wants to make sure that Winterswijk does not shoot himself in the foot. “Due to an overkill of visitors to the center, we can also sideline ourselves and we should not want that,” says Ten Hagen, referring to the danger of a corona outbreak. “It’s balancing on a thin line and we have to find a balance in that.”
‘Using common sense’
Jan Pleiter, spokesperson on behalf of the Winterswijk market association, supports the words of Ten Hagen. “It is very good news, but not intended for fun shopping,” says Pleiter. “The residents from the German border region, from Oeding, Südlohn and Vreden, can now happily come back for their weekly shopping. That’s positive news. But let’s use common sense.”
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