No plans for events sector in leaked relaxation; Sector baffled

Festival organizer ID&T is not happy about the leaked relaxation of the coronavirus measures. Sources around the government confirmed on Sunday that coronavirus access passes will be mandatory in theaters and concert halls from 25 September. There do not seem to be any concrete plans for the event sector. But nightclubs will remain closed for the time being.

"We follow the news closely, but it seems that we can only conclude that this cabinet does not take the cultural sector seriously at all," CEO Ritty van Straalen responded. "Every time the ball is kicked forward a bit. Instead of a real helping hand and a sustainable solution, they now come up with leaked half-baked plans that are based on nothing."

According to Van Straalen, there is "no longer any reason not to allow indoor and outdoor events, including in the nightlife under Fieldlab conditions, at 100 percent capacity," he said. "It's been proven in several Fieldlabs that this can be done safely. Why should the cultural sector remain closed if football and other sectors can open completely."

Events for more than 750 people are banned until at least 20 September, but Van Straalen believes it will be done after that. "We, and I know the entire industry and all our supporters think so, will not accept anything other than 100 percent open by 20 September."

ID&T, the company behind events like Mysteryland, Awakenings and Thunderdome, has been critical of the ongoing restrictions in the events sector for some time. The organization filed summary proceedings against the State in an attempt to lift the measures, but ultimately withdrew it.