Knokke –
After the surprise of the past few days, Mayor Leopold Lippens of Knokke-Heist fears a new outbreak of the corona virus in his municipality. He threatens to take steps against SNCB and even plans to shut down the municipality completely. He can count on the support of West Flemish governor Carl Decaluwé.
–
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. 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 applicable measures, they cause enormous Covid risks, ”says Lippens. The mayor therefore warned that there is a zero tolerance, and that the police can immediately fine for nuisance or violations of the corona measures.
NMBS role
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, party parties and other mass gatherings, thus endangering safety on a large scale. If those same people travel to Knokke-Heist afterwards, this will lead to irresponsible and undesirable risks. ”
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.
“Otherwise no more trains to Knokke”
Lippens therefore wants a clear summer protocol. “We demand clarification from SNCB as soon as possible, and we will declare it to be in default if the protocol is delayed,” said the mayor. “And then trains no longer have to run to Knokke.”
The mayor therefore wants to avoid an outbreak of the corona virus in his municipality 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 to be able to close the municipality on the next very warm day. The number of targeted checks of both train travelers and travelers traveling by car is also being greatly increased, “says Lippens.
Governor: “If I can do it legally, I want to do it myself”
Strong words from the mayor, but he can count on the support of Governor Carl Decaluwé of West Flanders. “I understand Mr Lippens’ sighs,” it sounds. “We met last week with the mayors, the NMBS and the Agency for Roads and Traffic to advertise the pressure barometer (which developed the coastal municipalities and which should discourage a rush on busy days, ed.). But today I am told that the NMBS does not want to participate. Why? No idea. But I find that incomprehensible, not done even. ”
Decaluwé therefore understands Lippens’ plans. “I can imagine that the mayor would take such a measure if he thinks that public health cannot be guaranteed. I have yet to see if that is legally possible. If that’s the case, I even want to take the lead in this as governor. ”
NMBS: “Everyone plays their own role”
NMBS does not want to respond to the plans of the Mayor of Knokke. “We have been strictly following the safety rules regarding corona since the restart of train traffic in May,” said spokesman Bart Crols. “If there are problems, a conductor can always notify the railway police to have offenders arrested at the next station.” Despite repeated insistence, Crols refuses to respond to Lippens’ threat. “Everyone plays their own role in this story,” it sounds.
– .
