The call by Amsterdam mayor Femke Halsema to reopen the terraces and other outdoor spaces in a responsible manner is receiving support from colleagues. Her counterparts Ahmed Aboutaleb of Rotterdam, Sharon Dijksma of Utrecht and Jan van Zanen of The Hague, for example, let their spokespersons know that they too want to gradually open up the outdoor spaces, provided that it can be done safely. “This literally gives people the space to go out and about in a responsible way,” says Dijksma. “In this way you give people more space to enjoy the outdoors in a controlled manner,” says Aboutaleb.

The Security Council, in which the chairpersons of the 25 security regions sit, is also in favor of “step by step easing, depending on the state of affairs of the vaccination and the epidemiological situation”, says the spokesman for foreman and mayor of Nijmegen Hubert Bruls. . “It makes sense to look at relaxation from the outside in, among other things. As indicated earlier this week, the Security Council is in consultation with the cabinet about an amended roadmap / opening plan. This plan is under the direction of the cabinet. We cannot say anything about the details of the plan yet. We hope this plan will be in place in the next two weeks. ”

In the RTL4 program Beau, Halsema called on the government to reopen outdoor spaces such as zoos and terraces. This will reduce chaotic situations in parks. Last week it was much too busy, including in the Vondelpark, which led to unrest when the police evacuated the park. "The numbers are so large that you cannot expect the municipality, police and enforcers to keep order," said Halsema about the busyness in the parks.

According to Halsema, there is less and less understanding for the national measures taken by the government, also among local administrators. The reason for closing the catering industry, because of the crowds it would cause in cities, is outdated, according to the mayor. "That bustle is there anyway, it can still be managed on the terraces." She emphasized that reopening must be done responsibly.

Also read: Outdoor spaces such as terraces can be opened for Halsema

mayors Halsema (Amsterdam) and Aboutaleb (Rotterdam)
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