Dutchies get their skates on, but rinks may be closed due to overcrowding

Authorities in the Netherlands fear that the country’s naturally occurring ice skating rinks may have to be closed this weekend due to overcrowding.

As the canals freeze over, people across the Netherlands are flocking to buy skates and head to the nearest makeshift ice rink.

While this would be perfectly fine in normal times, Dutch mayors fear that overcrowding at these rinks will lead to further cases of coronavirus in their region. The Dutch BOA Bond and the Police Union, ACP, have expressed their worries to De Telegraaf.

Crowds need to keep apart

Gerrit van de Kamp, chairman of the ACP police union, tells the Telegraaf that if people can maintain a safe distance from one another, no intervention will be necessary.

However, he believes it is likely that municipal enforcement officers (BOAs), police officers and traffic officials will have to intervene. “I estimate that this will happen in many places,” he says.

Mayors will also have to intervene

What exactly this intervention will look like, is uncertain for now. However, during the spring, Dutch mayors had to close roads to popular walking spots in order to prevent overcrowding.

Ruud Kuin, chairman of the BOA Bond, believes mayors will have to take similar measures again this weekend. If this happens, it is likely that roads and car parks near the ice rinks will be closed off to the public.

Do you think the ice rinks should be closed? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below! 

Feature Image:Gantas Vaičiulėnas/Pexels.

Sarah O'Leary 🇮🇪
Sarah O'Leary 🇮🇪
Before becoming the Senior Editor of DutchReview, Sarah was a fresh-faced international looking to learn more about the Netherlands. Since moving here in 2017, Sarah has added a BA in English and Philosophy (Hons.), an MA in Literature (Hons.), and over three years of writing experience at DutchReview to her skillset. When Sarah isn't acting as a safety threat to herself and others (cycling), you can find her trying to sound witty while writing about some of the stickier topics such as mortgages and Dutch law.

1 COMMENT

  1. Outdoors is the safest place to be. There is almost zero chance of spreading coronavirus outdoors. Closing outdoor rinks is another example of jobworths imposing their will on others because lockdown allows them to.

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