Yesterday, 16:25 • 3 minutes reading time
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Employees and partygoers who wanted to go to the Classic Night of Partycentrum Gossen in Stadskanaal on Saturday evening, were given the lid on their noses. The party was canceled after the Municipality of Stadskanaal got wind of the intention not to check the corona pass.
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The municipality had learned via Facebook that no admission ticket was requested at the party. The party center then received a letter with a warning in the mail.
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‘We really managed it well’, says owner Ineke Gossen. ‘We work with a registration obligation, so everyone must provide his or her name and telephone number.’ Gossen also decided not to fill the entire hall; instead of 250, 175 guests were chosen.
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I see such a QR code as psychological compulsion
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2,000 euro fine
Yet they did not comply with the current corona measures and a letter from the municipality fell on the mat this week. In case of violation, the party center could be fined 2,000 euros per observation. With a maximum of 20,000 euros.
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With the back against the wall
‘I could have chosen to let it go ahead’, adds Gossen. But she feels the obligation to maintain a corona certificate with her back against the wall. ‘I see such a QR code as psychological coercion and I don’t participate in it. In addition, she does not want to distinguish between her visitors. ‘It would mean a dichotomy, one yes and the other not. I think that’s a form of discrimination.’
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Difficult to explain
Lawyer Hans Klopstra understands the position of the entrepreneurs. “It is difficult to explain why a full stadium is possible, but a dance school is not,” the lawyer tells local broadcaster RTV1. ‘In these kinds of cases you have a general interest and an individual interest.’
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‘Discrimination is a legal concept. You can only discriminate on the basis of religion, gender, sexual preference, skin color, etc, but not whether someone is allowed to enter a catering establishment or not. You go in voluntarily or you stay out voluntarily.’
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General and individual interest
The government has determined that a QR code must be displayed in the catering industry, the mayors must implement this. Klopstra indicates that this is a law in the public interest and that it takes precedence over the individual interest. ‘If people do not agree with this state of affairs, then they would have had a different political system, a different political composition and therefore a different House of Representatives.’
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‘Prefer to work on positive things’
Despite the many objections and question marks that the party center is asking about the current corona rules, they have decided to keep the doors closed tonight.
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‘Let’s join the queue again,’ sighs Gossen. ‘I don’t want a visit from boas, the police or getting fined.’ Gossen believes that this case already causes enough negativity. ‘I want to focus on positive things, so I try to do that as much as possible.’
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Equal monks, equal hoods
The municipality of Stadskanaal says in a response that it is not their decision to cancel the event. ‘The letter was intended to remind her (owner Gossen, ed.) that she, like everyone else, must abide by the rules. This is being done throughout the province of Groningen.’
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The municipality says it is a pity that the party cannot take place, also for the people who wanted to go there. “It was her decision.”
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The municipality of Stadskanaal and the other municipalities in the province of Groningen approach the parties in the same way. ‘Equal monks, equal hoods’, according to the municipality.
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