Although the Flemish government did not want to introduce the new strictures until Friday evening, several municipalities have opted to switch now. ‘There is no time to waste. The figures are rising rapidly, ‘says Ghent mayor Mathias de Clercq (Open VLD).
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‘On behalf of the city of Aarschot, I ask for the entry into force of the measures to be brought forward to Wednesday 6 pm. We prefer to do this together throughout Flanders. But if we have to, we’ll go alone. The virus is moving too fast. ‘ Gwendolyn Rutten wrote this on Twitter on Tuesday evening after the press conference of the Flemish government.
Today she informs our editorial staff that she has tried to persuade Flanders and had contact with the provincial governor, but without success. ‘Ideally I would like to do this together with the whole of Flanders, but as mayor I can’t have a concert with 200 people going on tonight.’ Rutten is already introducing the new developments, such as the closing of swimming pools and cultural centers, tonight. ‘As mayor, I can cancel the swimming pool, our cultural center and the planned events. I would also like to insist that if one decides to close something, it must be financially compensated for those sectors. ‘
Spa mayor of Vilvoorde Hans Bonte also announced that the strictures will start early in his municipality. ‘It is important to have unambiguous measures now. Otherwise we will lose a lot of time. Now that the fitness centers in Brussels are already closed, people come to work out in Vilvoorde or other suburbs. We are therefore obliged to accelerate the introduction of the intertwining. Every citizen must now realize that staying in your room is still the best option. If you don’t make decisions now, the virus will decide. ‘
On Wednesday morning, Mechelen also joined the forerunners. Acting Mayor Alexander Vandersmissen (Open VLD): ‘In our city, the measures will be in effect from midnight today. In this way we want to cut the virus even faster. ‘
‘I fully understand that the Flemish Government needs time to roll out these measures across Flanders. In the field, however, I feel that the people of Mechelen are ready for these stricter measures, which has also prompted me to take my responsibility and issue a mayor’s decision, ‘says Vandermissen.
Bruges awaits
Ghent has also opted to introduce the measures from Thursday morning: ‘We had requested additional and uniform measures and they have been implemented. It is important that they are implemented quickly. That is why we as a city will make the necessary preparations to implement all measures from tomorrow morning. There is no time to waste. The figures are rising rapidly, ‘says Mayor Mathias de Clercq.
By the way, the city of Bruges waits until Friday. Mayor Dirk De Fauw (CD&V): ‘Don’t run any faster than Flanders, everyone has to prepare for it, we’ll just wait until Friday evening, don’t intervene from an urban level. Can of course already be done on a voluntary basis’
‘We are also not going to close down museums quickly. Also because we are still here with an exhibition about Memling, many people have made reservations and that can continue safely. ‘
‘We also do not really intend to work heavily with GAS fines now. In general, the guidelines are also well followed in Bruges. ‘
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