The corona pass stirs: manager Den Engel shocked by online hate campaign. — © ATV
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“I cannot ignore this and am going to file a complaint against the people who have called for a boycott of my cafe,” says Linda Van Heymbeeck. The manager of cafe Den Engel on the Grote Markt does not accept that people are calling on them not to visit her cafe anymore because they have to show their Covid Safe Ticket.
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Source: ATV
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An online appeal has been launched to boycott the cafe from now on. “Borders have been crossed with this. Everyone knows that he or she is required to show a Covid Safe Ticket when entering a cafe. That is a government measure that we have to adhere to. If people then call in front of the cafe to boycott us and loudly express their dissatisfaction with the measure, that is a bridge too far for me,” says Linda.
Meanwhile, the manageress says she knows who it is. “One of the people who called for the boycott has already loudly and unsolicitedly expressed his dissatisfaction with the measures. That he does this on the terrace of my cafe is not pleasant and deters other customers. Especially because many of them are a bit older and want to enjoy their drink in peace.”
“This must stop”
Linda Van Heymbeeck will file a complaint with the police on Monday. “I don’t know how it will go on. All I ask is that the smear campaign against my cafe stop. In the first place for myself, but also for my colleagues. Because I can imagine that I am not the only café owner who is confronted with such threats. If people choose not to be vaccinated, that is their right. But then they have to realize that they are temporarily unable to do some things. And refusing a vaccine in no way gives them the right to intimidate people like me who play by the rules.”
Linda also understands the people who can’t get in because of the measure: “I bought a large basket with warm fleece blankets especially for this. They can therefore consume on the terrace. Taking someone’s livelihood is unheard of.”
(pvdp)
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