In the most recent update on Covid-19 restrictions impacting the return of live events and nightlife in the Netherlands, the Dutch government announced that nightclubs will remain closed at the least until October 31st, 2021.
Health minister Hugo de Jonge and Prime minister Mark Rutte held another press conference to unveil the new re-opening timelines and plans. The restrictions extended the midnight to 6 am curfews on restaurants, cafes, and bars until September 19, and still, need to ensure all customers are seated.
However, the bad news for nightclubs which seem to be the very last part to be allowed to reopen, will still not be allowed to open till the very end of October.
Speaking about the decision, Rutte said, “I realize that this is again a hard message and that more was hoped for. The work in these sectors can continue, but with one hand tied behind their back for the time being.”
With this announcement coming in, the future of the annual spectacle that is ADE 2021, has been put into jeopardy. With its originally scheduled dates of October 13-17, this announcement leaves the organizers no choice but to choose to postpone the triumphant return to an in-person event after a virtual 2020 edition. However, no official announcement has come from ADE yet.
As reported by NL Times further addressing the decision and reasons behind it, De Jonge said, “Wherever resurgence occurs, we want to be able to intervene so that society as a whole is not affected. We long for the moment when, for example, we can really let go of everything on November 1, but that is not certain. We must remain alert and continue to work on our protection. We are blessed that so many people have already been vaccinated, but many people have not yet made that choice.”
Festival organizers from across The Netherlands came together this weekend to speak up against the government in protests across 5 cities with the #UnmuteUs protests. Here are some pictures and videos of how that went down.
The Dutch government has left nightlife without perspective yet again – a disastrous decision for the backbone of ADE and electronic music as a whole.
This Saturday, festivals and music lovers will hit the streets of Amsterdam to speak out against the new measures. #UnmuteUs pic.twitter.com/WIDEbvB7m8
— AmsterdamDanceEvent (@ADE_NL) August 18, 2021
While ADE came out in support of the Unmute Us movement with roughly 500 other event organizers, what this recent announcement means for their 2021 edition set for October, remains to be seen, but definitely leaves it in jeopardy.
H/T – Dancing Astronaut
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