Garden centers and DIY stores in most of the federal states in Germany are now open, since March 1, thanks to the initiatives of the German associations. In the neighboring country the Netherlands, however, they are still closed and Dutch plant exporter Royal Lemkes calls for opening of the garden centers and DIY stores.
Royal Lemkes created the following video (see above) that they've published on their YouTube channel. The video is called 'Vitamine Groen' (Vitamine Green) and shows that people are ready to start gardening, growers are ready to ship out their products, but when garden centers and DIY stores are closed, where do these plants need to go? "The better fit our gardens and balconies, instead of the dump, isn't it?" They ask the government to allow these stores to open their doors on a corona proof manner.
Also in Germany, corona proof opening of the stores have been repeatedly addressed in the associations call to open nationwide. Safety concepts and recommendations for action for the companies were developed and implemented at an early stage and are constantly being updated, BGI reports. They are very happy with the opening and are expecting a swift nationwide opening in all federal states. Click here to see in which states the shops are opened or will open (in German).
Going back to the Netherlands, where the shops are still closed, the call of Royal Lemkes is widely supported. By the large Dutch garden center Intratuin for example. "Great initiative for the entire horticulture industry wand garden retail.Thank you for the support, on behalf of Intratuin," Peter Paul Kleinbussink posted on LinkedIn.