Face masks mandatory in Amsterdam, Rotterdam areas from 9 a.m.; No fines on Day 1

From 9 a.m. today, face masks are mandatory in various, often crowded areas of Amsterdam and Rotterdam. Both cities will not immediately start handing out fines to people not wearing a mask, but will start with warnings.

"We are going to address people first and do everything we can to encourage them to voluntarily put on the mask in the designated areas," a spokesperson for the local security region, Veiligheidsregio Amsterdam-Amstelland, said to Trouw. "We are not going to write any fines in the first period of the experiment. Handing out fines is not an end in itself, we expect people to comply with the obligation to wear a mask, for their own health and that of others."

Masks will be mandatory on the Wallen, on shopping streets Kalverstraat and Nieuwendijk, and at the markets on Albert Cuypstraat and Plein '40-'45. The obligation may be expanded to other places in the coming period. Hosts will be handing out face masks on Wednesday and over the weekend. Amsterdam will also use social media to inform locals and visitors about the experiment.

In Rotterdam, masks will be mandatory in busy locations like the Coolsingel, Lijnbaan and shopping centers Alexandrium and Zuidplein. Those not wearing a mask in one of the applicable areas will receive a warning and may be asked to leave, a spokesperson for the local Public Prosecutor said to Rijnmond.

The experiment will last three to four weeks, after which it will be evaluated, according to Trouw. Once fines start being handed out, they will be 95 euros.