Associations of Belgian fairgrounds, both Flemish and French-speaking, have assembled to go to the Council of State, where they hope to suspend the anti-corona measure which limits events with an outside public to 200 people, their lawyer said on Sunday. , Stijn Verbist. “If that fails, the year 2020 will be an irreparable disaster that many of us cannot overcome; neither financially nor morally”, justify the fairgrounds.
Different treatment
“In a democratic system where everyone should be equal before the law, it is difficult for us to accept that the world of fairgrounds be treated any differently than amusement parks, markets or indoor playgrounds.” This element had already been put forward last week, when representatives of the fairgrounds had been received at the office of the Federal Minister for Independents, Denis Ducarme (MR), to explain their difficulties.
Running costs are significant
Indeed, fairs and fairs, regardless of their size, fall under the rule of a maximum attendance limited to 200 people, as for events with an outdoor audience. On the other hand, amusement parks, for example, have a maximum number of visitors which is linked to their area (one visitor per 10 m²). As they said on August 5 to Minister Ducarme, the fairgrounds feel cheated, when they have to bear significant operating costs, such as insurance. The fairgrounds can benefit from the “right footbridge”, but it is insufficient, and they especially wish to be able to fully resume their activity. “With each firm, we are understood and they say they sense our concerns, but each time the result is a kind pat on the back”, said the press release on Sunday.
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