The Dutch, who were locked up by the lockdown, came out of a box like devils. Many entrepreneurs in Antwerp have done good business recently. Due to the invasion of day trippers from the Netherlands, the sales period or sales couldn't have started better. Many retailers speak of 20 to 30 percent more turnover than expected. The idea has been simple. The Dutch government locked up their own country and the Dutchman massively brought the money to border towns in Belgium by shopping or dining there. The invasion of the past two weeks has made up for everything for many entrepreneurs that lost their turnover last year due to corona.
mixed feelings
The Dutch are mainly day trippers. Despite the hotel sector also benefiting from the influx, it obviously did not make up for all the loss. A mixed feeling when seeing the crowds in the streets, on terraces and in the shops. While Provincial Governor Cathy Berx disapproved the middle class turned a blind eye and rang the cash register. It was predictable now that all non-essential stores in the Netherlands have to keep their doors closed. The Dutch themselves did not let themselves be held back, but instead they let traffic come to a complete standstill in and around Antwerp. Berx asked that everyone take responsibility and called shopping tourism from the Netherlands "counterproductive and unwise."
Police called for parking outside the city. The idea behind this was to use the P+R places and to travel further to the city center by public transport. Massively like sardines in the hanging path of the tram or bus. It was also remarkably busy at the Central Station In Antwerp, because Dutch people also came by train who came for a day's shopping in Antwerp, so that the NMBS had to deploy extra security personnel. Many Flemish people have a bad feeling that people are avoiding measures in their own country by going elsewhere. It is not pronounced in so many words, but for many non-entrepreneurs the Dutch are not welcome at all in the catering industry, shops or at the Antwerp hairdressers.
“Understanding for people who want to relax, happy for Belgian entrepreneurs, but also sad and angry for the situation in which we are being held here in the Netherlands and what that means for entrepreneurs and young people here. If it is possible in Belgium, it should also be possible here!”. One of the mixed reactions to what has happened in Antwerp in recent weeks. And to think that many Dutch people just get together for the New Year's drink behind their own front door.
all the same
Conversely, it has also happened that Belgium was closed and the Belgians went to the Netherlands. Incidentally, the Belgians who crossed the border were also looked down upon. People simply need their freedom and recreation and can't do that in their own country, then they look for it elsewhere. “A domestic lockdown sponsors other economies and only helps keep inflation more under control,” said one of the responses.
Also read: Crowds of Dutch people in Flemish shopping streets
