Prognosis
Dutch Hasten Lockdown Exit as Optimism Ripples Around Europe
- Germany readies to open stores, restart soccer league
- Spain extends state of emergency even as reopening planned
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte speaks during a press conference in The Hague, Netherlands, on May 6.
Photographer: Bart Maat/AFP via Getty ImagesThis article is for subscribers only.
The Netherlands accelerated a plan to reopen more of its economy, echoing moves elsewhere in Europe amid signs the coronavirus outbreak is coming under control.
The nation will allow hairdressers, nail salons and beauty parlors to start work again on May 11, moving its schedule up by at least a week. Restaurants, bars and movie theaters will reopen starting June 1, with restrictions to comply with the “1.5 meter society,” Prime Minister Mark Rutte told reporters at a televised briefing in The Hague on Wednesday.