Tonight the mayors of the 25 security regions met again to discuss the corona approach. They did this physically for the first time with the new Minister of Security and Justice Dilan Yeşilgöz-Zegerius.
“We have discussed all sectors, but in particular the sectors that were not allowed to open until now,” said Bruls after the meeting. “We have previously urged to use one time, which makes it clearer and easier to communicate.”
As far as it seems now, the catering industry will get good news tomorrow. We spoke with a number of entrepreneurs:
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In a general sense, the mayors hope for slightly more relaxation than the OMT advised today. That advice states that catering and other sectors must close at 8 p.m. “We have indicated to the minister that, as far as we are concerned, it could be a little wider,” says Bruls
Today, sources informed RTL Nieuws that the cabinet for catering and culture wants to use a closing time of 10 p.m. If this is indeed the case, an important wish of the Security Council will have been fulfilled. “I hope that everything can open normally again, but ten o’clock in the evening is already an important step,” said Femke Halsema of Amsterdam prior to the consultation.
Flexibility desired
“The population yearns for it,” noted colleague Sharon Dijksma of Utrecht. Together with a number of other mayors, she thinks that 10 p.m. will remain difficult for a number of sectors. They advocate flexibility. It is easier for a pub to close the tap than a theater to end a performance that has not yet ended.
“Sectors must be able to do their work for what they are. But a football match, for example, normally lasts just a little longer than 10 p.m.,” says Sybrand Buma van Leeuwarden.
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Carnival
Carnival was also mentioned. Although the catering industry is allowed to open, the rule to keep distance will probably remain in force. According to Bruls, that means no large indoor or outdoor events such as parades. “But even without a parade, people will take to the streets.”
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“You cannot forbid people to put on a suit or have a drink at home,” said the mayor of Maastricht Annemarie Penn-te Strake about the street carnival. She does provide that partygoers will not keep 1.5 meters away.
Quick conversation about carnival
“We have agreed with the ministers of the regions where it is most important to discuss this with the minister later this week. We cannot wait another month with that,” said Bruls.
Tomorrow the cabinet will decide on the relaxation. “Then we will weigh all the advice against each other and see how much space we can give,” said Minister Dilan Yeşilgöz of Justice and Security.
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