Shops in the center of Rotterdam also close earlier on Saturday | Inland

Mayor Ahmed Aboutaleb decided to close the shops prematurely on Friday evening, in consultation with the shopkeepers. It was Black Friday, a day when many stores had high discounts. Rotterdam, Amsterdam and Eindhoven, among others, also called for people to stop coming to the center because of the crowds.

According to a spokesperson for the municipality of Rotterdam, the intention is not to have ’empty’ shopping streets, but that people can shop ‘responsibly’. “We want to protect shoppers as well as retailers and their employees.” The Rotterdam-Rijnmond Safety Region calls on the public to stay at home as much as possible and to shop online if necessary.

Eindhoven also keeps an eye on the shopping crowds. Mayor John Jorritsma (VVD) of Eindhoven threatens to close the shops in the city if it gets too busy. He calls on people on Saturday not to come to the center. On Friday it was very busy in Eindhoven during Black Friday and the 1.5 meters distance could often not be guaranteed. There were long queues in front of the shops.

“Drastic measures such as early store closure are the ultimate remedy! Really call on the public not to come to the center and if there really is no other option to come alone ”, says Jorritsma. “These crowds are pleasing to the virus.”

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