Many will be pleased with the relaxations presented by the cabinet, but festivals and nightlife are once again left out. This excludes a sector that has proven to be able to open in a safe and responsible manner. Organization Unmute Us, on behalf of festivals and the night catering industry, calls on the cabinet to come up with a full and realistic opening plan within two weeks, as promised in previous consultations in December 2021. If this does not happen, the organization will come up with new actions.
Disco peak
Unmute Us understands that society is being opened step by step. However, she finds it indigestible that relaxations that were announced somewhat triumphantly actually mean that the event and night catering industry is the only one that remains completely locked. The announced relaxations include a maximum capacity of 1.250 visitors for indoor events (with mandatory seat). Outside, a location may have a maximum of (a third) of capacity and the night catering industry remains completely closed. The specter of 'disco dancing with Janssen' last summer, entirely attributable to the then cabinet policy, still hangs like a 'sword of Damocles' over the heads of the entire sector.
Field lab
It is difficult for Unmute Us and she therefore finds the relaxations less than a proverbial 'sausage that is presented' to an industry that was once one of the world's leading industries, also the industry whose most Field lab events realized results formed a basis for opening up other branches. The nightlife is close to dead and buried and there seems to be no prospect of resuscitation. The lack of perspective is paralyzing and demotivating. Not only for the sector, but also for visitors who yearn for an outlet.
Living room parties and illegality
Throughout the Netherlands, parties are forced to party in the living room and in remote places and people even travel to our neighboring countries for this. However, partying in public in a controlled environment is still seen as a danger to society, when it is not. Past edition of ADE (Amsterdam Dance Event) in October 2021, with hundreds of party locations and corona checks at the door, hardly resulted in new infections and police unions and mayors are now also calling for controlled events to be seen over the growing number of illegal parties. For young people, the energy and social component of the night and festival life is essential, it is part of their social life. In countries around us you see the entire society opening up, there is perspective! Unmute Us therefore states that if no plans are presented within two weeks, large-scale actions will be taken.