Normally places of solitude, some nature reserves are becoming far too busy during the Coronavirus outbreak
Translated by Thomas Ansell
As reported by the Omrop Fryslân, the organisation Natuurmonumenten, which is responsible for various areas of natural beauty in the Netherlands, has asked people to stay away from certain reserves over the coming weekend.
De Slotplaats in Bakkeveen (Gemeente Opsterland) has seen lots of visitors in the last few days, with so many people visiting that the RIVM’s suggested distance of 1.5 metres between people could not be followed.
With more nice weather predicted this weekend, Natuurmonumenten has published a list of places where it was too busy in the last few days. De Slotplaats in Friesland is one such place; in Groningen the open spaces of Kardinge, Noordlaarderbos, and the Landgoederen Groningen were too busy for safety. In Drenthe, places include Buitenplaatsen Paterwolde, Onlanden (especially around the viewing tower), and the Dwingelderveld (known for its heather) all saw too many people visit.
The organisation is saying that, of course, these places are to be visited and enjoyed, but that visitors must hold to the RIVM’s regulations.
Natuurmonumenten is also offering alternatives for those that want some ‘virtual nature’, including using Google Street View. You can currently wander across Schiermonnikoog, or see the island of Griend this way.
Image via Skitterphoto from Pexels
