Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema announced stricter enforcement of coronavirus measures in response to rising infection rates. This follows a partial lockdown announced by the Dutch government, impacting businesses like restaurants and bars.
While acknowledging the hardship on Amsterdam's 8000 hospitality businesses, Halsema emphasizes that the lockdown isn't punitive, recognizing their preventative efforts. She highlights the need to reduce social contact inherent in the hospitality sector. The focus is also on aiding vulnerable groups—those in densely populated areas with larger families—through targeted GGD initiatives. This is framed as a social rather than ethnic issue.
Halsema shares the public's sense of weariness regarding renewed restrictions. She contrasts this with the more unified response during the initial lockdown. The mayor emphasizes that stricter enforcement, aided by the police, is essential to control the virus's spread. She calls for substantial government support for affected businesses, particularly considering the city's budget constraints.
The plan involves increased active police participation in enforcement efforts. Reporting noise complaints from house parties is encouraged to facilitate interventions and ensure compliance with social distancing rules.