During the plenary session of the House, the ruling party Ecolo calls for the decision to lock the cultural sector to be reversed. “Sometimes one has to admit that one has not made the right choice. I ask you to reconsider that decision,” said Member of Parliament Marie-Colline Leroy. The disgruntled reactions to the decision have already poured in and even experts are expressing sharp criticism.
Read all about the coronavirus in our file.
The Consultation Committee decided to ban indoor events, including cultural performances and cinema screenings, from Sunday. Although the GEMS expert group has not yet explicitly asked for this. According to virologist Marc Van Ranst, culture is not an afterthought or side job, but a fully-fledged sector. The greatest anger is in the sector itself, which has taken numerous precautions in recent months to ensure safe working. But the decision can also count on little understanding in the House. Even among majority MPs: “Why do we risk testing the confidence of experts and citizens with arbitrary decisions?” said Ecolo/Green MP Marie-Colline Leroy.
“There is a lack of understanding among everyone”
“Sometimes one has to recognize that one has not made the right choice. I ask you to reconsider that decision,” added Leroy. There were also doubts among coalition partners CD&V, MR and PS. “The measure thwarts all creativity, while experts have not asked for it. Why are people going against that?” CD&V member Jan Briers wanted to know. “My group has supported all measures, and precautions are also needed now. But many do not understand. What has changed in three weeks, that sectors now have to close?” asked Leslie Leoni (PS). “There is a lack of understanding among everyone”, said Florence Reuter (MR). “Why is culture more dangerous than other activities?”
Why go against the experts?
Vandenbroucke: “It hurts me”
Minister of Health Frank Vandenbroucke (Vooruit) will consult with the culture sector on Tuesday. He answered that on Thursday afternoon to questions in the House. “It really hurts my heart,” Vandenbroucke replied. “An invitation has been sent to meet with the culture sector at my cabinet next week. That will be frank and difficult, but we will consult.”
Vandenbroucke emphasized that the culture lockdown does not necessarily have to last long. “If the situation permits, after the next Consultation Committee in early January, we will switch to a more nuanced regime, the CERM (Covid Event Risk Model). That is very strict in small halls, but it is more nuanced and then you may be able to do more in large halls.”
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