Skip to main content
Home

Main navigation

  • Top stories
  • Health
  • Crime
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Tech
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Weird
  • 1-1-2
Image
A terrace in Amsterdam.
A terrace in Amsterdam. - Credit: hansenn / DepositPhotos - License: DepositPhotos
Health
Politics
Sports
Ferd Grapperhaus
European Championship 2021
Koninklijk Horeca Nederland
KHN
cafes
Wednesday, 26 May 2021 - 09:18
Share this:
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • linkedin
  • whatsapp
  • reddit

Fully reopen pubs and restaurants, but not to watch football: Security Minister

Caretaker Justice and Security Minister Ferd Grapperhaus has advocated for the full reopening of pubs in the next step of lockdown easing, ANP reported. Grapperhaus stated that all bars, cafés and restaurants should be allowed to reopen at the same time, regardless if their primary sales come from alcohol or food.

He wants the distinction dropped before the hospitality locations begin to open their indoor spaces.

Grapperhaus also said he does not want cafés to show the Dutch national team’s football matches on video screens during the upcoming European Championship. He is concerned that could lead to a rising number of Covid-19 infections.

The current six-step reopening roadmap suggests that restaurants are allowed to more fully reopen at the upcoming third step, followed by the full reopening of pubs at the next stage. According to Grapperhaus, this is not justified.

A spokesperson for Grapperhaus said in an explanation that the minister was aiming for a more balanced and equal reopening, according to ANP.

The distinction between “wet” and “dry” hospitality locations is "so difficult to establish," said Grapperhaus, which adds an additional layer of complexity. "And besides, the people who have a pub have already waited even longer. Let's just ensure favorable rules now," he said.

"I think it is really too early to watch [football] in the pub," he also said, referring to the upcoming international tournament.

The mayors took the same stance and asked the Cabinet during the Security Council meeting Tuesday night not to allow any large screens. According to them, mass gatherings of fans watching the games together should be made impossible both indoors and outdoors, including in catering industry facilities and on public squares.

"The experience of previous European and World Championships shows that people clump together in front of the screens. Then it becomes too busy. Then the 1.5-meter measure is violated and then you have another problem", said council chair Hubert Bruls, who also is the Nijmegen mayor.

Catering industry lobby group KHN said Grapperhaus’s statements were 'very strange'. According to the organization’s head, Robèr Willemsen, the catering industry has shown for weeks that they can receive guests safely and responsibly. He expected that the relaxation will continue as planned and people should be able to watch football in a safe environment.

“In recent months it has become clear that the infections take place at home and not in a controlled environment such as the catering industry. With this call, the minister shows that he is far removed from reality, ”said Willemsen.

The European Championships will be staged from June 11 to July 11 across eleven host cities, including early round matches in Amsterdam.

Follow us:

Latest stories

  • Dutch banks lower economic growth predictions after first quarter contraction
  • Amsterdam residents use more water than average Dutch households
  • CEO: Air France-KLM takes planet health very seriously
  • Cable car over Amsterdam IJ River could depart from Westerpark area metro station
  • Rotterdam's public transport company RET facing serious financial trouble
  • Lifeguards warn water still too cold for long swims despite rising temperatures

Top stories

  • Dutch banks lower economic growth predictions after first quarter contraction
  • Investigators find €80 million in cocaine at Dutch ports
  • Appeal denied: Joran van der Sloot temporarily extradited to U.S. tomorrow
  • Amsterdam to ban polluting traffic in large parts of the city from 2025
  • Hundreds of young Dutch people at risk of forced marriage during summer holiday
  • Dutch PM says blowing up Ukraine’s dam is a war crime

© 2012-2023, NL Times, All rights reserved.

Footer menu

  • Privacy
  • Contact
  • Partner content