This archive report was first published on 6 May 2020.
Located in the heart of Europe, the town of Baarle-Hertog-Nassau is a unique example of a border town, with its own set of rules and regulations. The town is divided into two parts, with 22 Belgian enclaves in the Dutch side and eight Dutch enclaves in the Belgian side.
As the coronavirus pandemic spread across Europe, the town's residents were faced with a complex situation. The Belgian government responded to the outbreak by sealing off all crossings along the 280-mile border with the Netherlands, while the Dutch government took a more relaxed approach, allowing take-away restaurants, retail shops, and government offices to remain open.
For residents like Sylvia Reijbroek, who owns an art gallery in the town, the situation was particularly challenging. 'There is only one shop on this street that had to adhere to Belgian law and closed,' she said. 'Mine.'
As European countries begin to ease their restrictions on public life, the different rules are sowing confusion for travelers and the many people who live in border areas and regularly cross back and forth. In Baarle-Hertog-Nassau, the rules can differ from street to street, door to door, and even within buildings.
On May 4, 2020, several European countries began easing their coronavirus restrictions, with governments trying to placate their restless populations and reboot stalled economies without creating opportunities for disease to spread. In Belgium, face masks are now obligatory while traveling, on penalty of a fine of 250 euros, about $270.
However, in the neighboring Netherlands, politicians have been critical of the use of face masks. Trying to avoid confusion, the Belgian mayor, Frans de Bont, was busy preparing his citizens for the new rules on masks.
When asked about the situation, Mr. Van Gool, a local tourism official, said, 'We are an example for Europe. We always find a way forward.'
