Throughout the country, most catering entrepreneurs have ultimately adhered to the imposed closing time of 8 p.m. The exception is Breda, where many catering establishments are ‘normal’ open until midnight. Mayor Depla says he understands the action and will not intervene. In Leeuwarden, the riot police acted briefly against a group of rioters.
Many entrepreneurs are furious that the government has decided that catering establishments must close their doors from eight o’clock tonight. The new corona measure will in any case apply for three weeks. Many have already threatened to keep their business open. A number of people put their money where their mouth is this evening. This happened in Alkmaar and Breda, among others.
On the other hand, in many large cities such as Rotterdam, Amsterdam, Maastricht, Utrecht, Eindhoven, Leeuwarden and Groningen, most catering entrepreneurs did follow the temporary new rules. In the popular nightlife areas of Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Utrecht, enforcers and police officers kept an eye on things. Most pubs closed their doors around eight o’clock. The catering industry in The Hague also ended after eight o’clock and the nightlife crowd descended.
Breda: bars open, mayor does not intervene
The cafes in Breda do not adhere to the tightened corona measures on Saturday evening. Many cafes are still open ‘normally’ and will remain so until midnight. There is a lot of crowds and full terraces with the beer tap wide open. It is only quieter on the Grote Markt. There is a lot of police in the city center, but the atmosphere is friendly. According to Farid Bicane of café Nassau Breda, about 80% of all catering businesses in the city center participate in the promotion.
Mayor Paul Depla says he understands the action and – for the time being – has not intervened. He announced that he would condone the protest from the catering industry for a while, but then he would enforce it, “as we always do”. According to the mayor, “there is room for the catering industry in Breda to make a statement”, as happened before. Depla: “In this way, the catering industry can draw attention to their business for a short time.” He announced that he would send enforcers out, “but they will only make observations”. On the basis of those observations, the offenders will be addressed later.
Leeuwarden: charges ME
Things were less pleasant in the north. The police in Leeuwarden deployed the riot police at the courthouse in the city center on Saturday evening to remove a large group of people who, among other things, threw fireworks. The group of people, who had to leave the entertainment venues at 8 p.m. due to the new corona measure, ignored orders from the police to leave. An unknown number of people have been arrested.
Earlier today, the decision was made in Leeuwarden to close the catering industry in time after consultation between mayor Sybrand van Haersma Buma and the catering industry. If catering companies remain open, they will face a penalty of 10,000 euros, according to the spokesperson for the municipality.
Emergency meeting catering association and minister
Koninklijke Horeca Nederland has argued in an emergency meeting with outgoing minister Ferd Grapperhaus (Justice and Security) to allow guests to stay longer in the catering establishments, provided they have arrived before 8 p.m. The organization wants to discuss this ‘walk-in until 8 p.m. model’ with Grapperhaus and Minister Stef Blok (Economic Affairs) in a new emergency meeting next week.
“Guests who are then inside can stay as long as the original closing time,” KHN wants to put forward in the conversation. “This method does not involve more transport movements and prevents the so-called pub hopping that the OMT is afraid of.” Furthermore, this would prevent accumulations in the public space around 8 p.m. and reduce the chances of parties at home and also illegal parties, according to KHN. A date for the meeting has not yet been announced.
At the KHN, there is also understanding for the entrepreneurs who have decided not to lock the door at 20.00. KHN chairman Robèr Willemsen pointed out more often that few corona infections can be attributed to the sector.
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