Halsema reintroduces alcohol ban on the Red Light District
Once again, the sale of alcohol in supermarkets on the
Red Light District is severely restricted to combat nuisance from visitors. In
the evening a sales ban applies to shops, in the course of the afternoon only
lukewarm beer can be sold there.
Ruben Koops24 June 2021, 16:40
Mayor Femke
Halsema announced the stricter rules thursday during a debate with the city
council. On the Red Light District there is already a ban on consuming alcohol
in many streets and on several canals. But due to the overwhelming supply of
beer, wine and spirits in the numerous mini supermarkets and Albert Heijns,
that ban is being flouted.
As more and more
corona measures are lifted, it is also quickly getting busier on the street in
the Red Light District. Especially in the summer months, 'whores lurk' with a
bottle of beer in hand is a popular activity of visitors. As more people drink,
the willingness to keep their distance decreases, Halsema says.
That is why, as
last year, restrictions will apply from next weekend. For example, the sale of
alcohol, excluding the catering industry, is prohibited from Thursday to Sunday
between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m.
Lukewarm beer
In an additional
attempt to prevent visitors from stocking up on drinks during the afternoon,
the municipality discourages sales from 4 p.m. on those days, in particular by
only allowing the sale of uncooled beer. For example, alcoholic beverages are
no longer allowed in the shop window (excluding liquor stores) and supermarkets
are therefore also prohibited from offering refrigerated alcoholic beverages
from that time on, Halsema writes. In addition, cashiers must explain to each
customer that the purchased alcohol outside on the street should not be drunk.
'With the help of
these measures, we help prevent visitors from buying alcohol and consuming it
directly on the street,' Halsema wrote in a statement. The fine for
entrepreneurs for breaking the rules is 1200 euros.
The measures will
apply for the time being from next weekend until 31 August. But Halsema also
said on Thursday afternoon that she is also preparing an APV amendment (General
Local Regulation) that would allow for a more extensive ban on alcohol sales.
She said the new nationwide alcohol law would allow for the sale to be banned
in pre-designated nuisance areas. "Those are the areas where
mini-supermarkets are concentrating," Halsema said. "My intention is
to make use of this."
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