Tulips from Amsterdam? Not in times of coronavirus crisis

LISSE, Netherlands — The pots of chrysanthemums stacked in Henk van der Slot’s barn in the Netherlands bulb fields were supposed to decorate St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican over Easter. “If this continues for much longer we have to start laying off people because we can’t afford this.” At Royal FloraHolland’s cavernous auction facility in Aalsmeer near Amsterdam, rows of flower racks stand empty. “We’re scared also for our employees because all our dependents are currently looking up to us and we are not certain of our jobs due to the outbreak.” In the Netherlands, Frans van der Slot has set up a stall outside his farm to sell flowers he can’t send to auction. “Stopping isn’t an option,” said Van der Slot.