The iconic botanical garden Keukenhof has been told it will not be allowed to reopen on March 20 in spite of the plans put in place by the park’s directors to reopen safely this spring.
Last year, the outbreak of coronavirus in the Netherlands forced the world-famous attraction to miss the spring season, but this year the park had remained hopeful that the progress made with vaccinations and with strict social distancing rules, the park would be able to welcome visitors from March 20.
Last autumn, seven million bulbs were planted in preparation for the spring opening, and director Bart Siemerink said the park was completely ready to open: “Within all corona rules, it is completely safe to take a walk in Keukenhof. Last year we were attacked by corona and the park could not open. This year we are fully prepared.”
But this week, Keukenhof was informed by the local municipality that these plans were not enough, and that the park would not be able to open its doors on March 7. The spring season is set to last until May 7, and so organisers are optimistic that, as national restrictions are eased, they may be able to open later than initially planned and still welcome visitors to see the breathtaking flowers and gardens.
If this happens, the park would open for only a limited number of visitors at a time who would all be required to book a time slot when they purchase their tickets. Siemerink feels it is “incomprehensible” that the people of the Netherlands are able to visit and walk around any public park but that they are not allowed to visit Keukenhof.