DUTCH NIGHTCLUBS WILL OPEN THEIR DOORS IN PROTEST ON FEBRUARY 12 -

Clubs are planning to reopen on Saturday night, February 12, at 9 pm. Amsterdam nightclubs are participating in the protest, but meanwhile, clubs in cities like Rotterdam, Utrecht, Groningen, and Den Bosch are also joining in. “We are doing this to wake up the government and everyone else,” says DJ Joost Gimbel in a statement on Instagram. “And not just for one night, but for every single night”

Nightclubs have been closed since the outbreak of the corona pandemic, except for a brief period in July last year. Owners are angry that as the Netherlands becomes more and more of a lock, there is still no perspective for nightclubs. Currently, the Dutch hospitality is allowed to stay open until 10 p.m. under strict conditions, and seating is mandatory. Several club owners have previously indicated that this time is not workable for them. They, therefore, choose not to open.

DUTCH CLUB OWNERS WANT CLARITY

So that changes on February 12, if it’s up to the club owners. Above all, the owners want clarity. “Now that the cultural sector is reopening, with museums during the day and restaurants at night, there is one essential part of the day that is being completely sidelined,” says one of the club owners in a comment. “It seems like the importance of the nightclubs is just forgotten.”

The club owners say they have sufficient resources to make the reopening safe. Police and mayors agree on this and are asking the cabinet to give clubs more space. They prefer to see that young people meet in a controlled way in clubs and discotheques.

1G POLICY

On Monday, the sector is still going to consult with the Ministry of Economic Affairs. According to the ministry, that is about “gathering input to take to the weighing moment for the cabinet. According to a spokesperson, therefore, no decision will be made on the use of 1G in nightlife, with all visitors being tested. Corona minister Ernst Kuipers said last week in the House of Representatives that he wanted to investigate whether the nightlife industry could open up with the so-called 1G policy.

OFFICIAL STATEMENT ‘DE NACHT STAAT OP’