Knokke-Heist threatens, in a press release transmitted Monday, to put in residence the SNCB. The latter replied to the bourgmestre at the end of the day.
The municipality accuses the railway company of not having established a protocol in order to fight against the spread of Covid-19 on the Coast this summer. She also said that she could close its doors during heat peaks. Burgomaster Leopold Lippens declares that the municipality has been very concerned about “disrespectful visitors and huge inconvenience” that marked the beautiful summer days of last week. “Like many other coastal towns, Knokke-Heist was overrun by visitors who broke the rules. They caused inconvenience and harm to the police, social workers and other visitors”, explains the bourgmestre.
“The uncontrolled influx of visitors from the big cities of Belgium and the north of France was sometimes done by car, but especially by train”, adds Mr. Lippens. “These large cities fail to stem demonstrations, parties and other mass gatherings, thereby jeopardizing large-scale security. If these same people then travel to Knokke-Heist, this creates irresponsible and undesirable risks. “
According to the mayor, the SNCB “late” to set up a protocol which would make it possible to halt the spread of the coronavirus on the Coast this summer. “There are no mechanisms in place to increase security and enforcement of Covid-19 measures, nor a reduction in supply, nor an adjustment in prices. There is an urgent need to address these questions, because this is how SNCB deliberately organizes the export of coronavirus from Brussels to the Coast. “
Knokke-Heist threatens to put SNCB on notice if a reliable protocol is not established. “In addition, the possibility of being able to close the seaside resort the next days of great heat is being studied. The number of targeted inspections, both for visitors who travel by train and those who travel by car, will also be strongly increases”, concludes Leopold Lippens.
SNCB reacts
SNCB responded on Monday at the end of the day at the exit of the mayor of Knokke. Here is their press release:
“Every day, 250 trains run to and from the coast, including the additional tourist trains added last weekend, which will continue to run in July and August.
Over the past weekend, 90% of these trains have had an occupancy rate of between 10 and 60%. Only 2 trains returning from the coast were fully occupied.
SNCB is in constant contact with local authorities on the coast and at this stage, no problems have been reported.
Under an agreement with the Governor and the Federal Police, SNCB will report the occupancy rate of trains to the coast in real time to the provincial coordination cell.
SNCB recalls that since May 4, wearing a mask is mandatory in stations, on platforms and on trains, and calls for collective responsibility to continue to respect this essential measure for the safety of all. SNCB continues to constantly educate its travelers about the health rules in force via all of its communication channels. “
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