Mayor Leopold Lippens of Knokke-Heist threatens to take steps against the NMBS. According to him, the transport company has no decent plan to bring travelers safely to the coast. After the recent days, Lippens fears a new outbreak in Knokke-Heist. It is even considered to close Knokke-Heist during hot summer days.
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These were not beautiful scenes in Knokke-Heist last week. The tropical summer weather caused a surprise and the necessary inconvenience in the fashionable seaside resort. Lippens warned that there is a zero tolerance and that the police can immediately fine for nuisance or violations of the corona measures.
According to Lippens, NMBS also plays a major role in this surprise. The transport company does not have a decent plan to safely transport travelers to Knokke-Heist and by extension the coast. “The uncontrolled influx of visitors from major cities in Belgium and northern France sometimes happened by car, but mainly by train,” said Lippens. “Those big cities fail to curtail demonstrations, parties and other mass gatherings, and so endanger safety on a large scale. If those same people travel to Knokke-Heist afterwards, this will lead to irresponsible and undesirable risks. ‘
Irresponsible behavior
Lippens wants a clear summer protocol. According to the municipal authorities, SNCB does not provide additional security, enforcement of the corona measures, a reduced offer or an adjusted price. Breaches of the distance rules and not wearing a mask on the train were particularly striking. “We demand clarification from SNCB as soon as possible, and we will declare it to be in default if the protocol is delayed,” said Lippens. “And then trains no longer have to run to Knokke.”
It was previously clear that the emergency services had the greatest difficulty with drunk visitors or people who already thought corona passed. Especially people from the North of France were targeted. ‘They caused a nuisance and bothered the police, aid workers and other visitors. Due to their irresponsible behavior and failure to comply with the measures in force, they cause enormous covid risks, ‘says Lippens.
Close Knokke
The mayor wants to avoid a new outbreak in his seaside resort at all costs. To prevent a new surprise and a new source of infection, Lippens is even considering closing Knokke-Heist on peak days. ‘The possibilities are being investigated for closing the municipality on the next very warm day. The number of targeted inspections of both train travelers and travelers traveling by car will also be greatly increased, ‘adds Lippens.
SNCB does not want to comment on the plans of the Knokke mayor. “Everyone plays their own role in this story,” said spokesman Bart Crols. ‘We have been following the safety rules around corona since the restart of train traffic. If there are problems, a conductor can always notify the railway police to have offenders arrested at the next station. ”
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