“We have all been waiting for this, so we are very happy with it,” said FC Emmen spokesperson Marc Timmer. The FC is happy because of the leaked cabinet plans. Because if they continue, most corona measures will go overboard next week. The catering and culture sector can open longer and football stadiums can also be full again. The one and a half meter rule is therefore a thing of the past.
If the plan goes ahead, the stadium will be full again next Friday, precisely against leader Volendam. “A perfect moment,” said Visser. “Of course we would have preferred to see it much earlier, but we will probably forget that quickly when the stadium is full again.”
“Playing without an audience, that’s not really football. It’s not in proportion to what it’s like with an audience. The twelfth man is very important to us. What do we still have to arrange for next Friday? sell last tickets, but that will be fine.”
Realistic and alert
The theater halls can also be full again from next week, if the plans go ahead, without space between the seats. Natalie Straatman, director of Schouwburg Ogterop in Meppel, is of course happy with the relaxation. “It is very nice, but at the same time we are realistic and we remain alert. The measures can just be tightened up again. But it gives a lot of positive energy that the performances can continue, as we want.”
Straatman empathizes with the night catering industry, who are the last to open their doors. The closing time of 1 a.m. will also apply to that sector. “We understand their frustration very well, because our sector also drew the short straw for a long time,” says the theater director. “Music venues also still suffer from restrictions in terms of the maximum number of people. We understand well what those venues are going through now.”