Mask trial to end in biggest Dutch cities

We mentioned earlier that Amsterdam and Rotterdam have been running a pilot scheme this month requiring face coverings in the busiest areas.

The two biggest Dutch cities have now decided to drop the trial from Monday.

Masks are required on public transport but they have proved broadly unpopular in the Netherlands.

Since the mask trial began, the main shopping streets in these two cities have seen visitor numbers fall by almost a third, according to a survey.

So the two mayors have decided that as the warm weather and high tourist season draw to a close it’s probably easier to just ask people to maintain social distancing of 1.5m (5ft).