BRUSSELS (AP) — Thousands of Belgian artists, film exhibitors, event organizers and others gathered Sunday to protest the government’s resolve to shut down the country’s cultural life to stop the burgeoning variant of omicron.
Holding signs reading “The exhibition will have to pass” or “No culture, no future,” the crowd protested peacefully despite the torrential rain, accusing the government of going from unfairly attacking the cultural industry with the new virus restrictions.
Under the measures, which went into effect on Sunday, occasions such as Christmas markets are allowed to continue, despite their noisy and chaotic gluhwein (mulled wine) nights, and restaurants and bars may remain open with new restrictions.
Even the clinical committee advising the Belgian government had called for the closure of the culture industry, leaving virologist Marc Van Ranst wondering if in Belgium “gluhwein beats culture. “
Dozens of cinemas and venues ignored the closure order, according to state broadcaster RTBF.
A brass band accompanied Sunday’s demonstration at the Mont des Arts in Brussels, the symbolic spot which spawned Belgian independence in 1830, and prominent cultural figures took to the stage to air their grievances. Organizers urged participants to wear masks and maintain social distancing. Authorities estimated 5,000 people took part and it ended peacefully.
Under the new rules, indoor public activities are strictly limited, shopping is curtailed and sports fans won’t be allowed into stadiums and indoor venues. The Belgian government shied away, however, from a full lockdown like that imposed in the neighboring Netherlands for the holiday season.
After nearly two years of forced closures and limited openings, the culture industry hoped that their efforts, adding special air quality meters in the aisles, separate seating, and limited guest capacity, would have allowed for the full force of the virus’ restrictions. be avoided.
The Belgian measures come despite a steady decline in COVID-19 hospital admissions in recent weeks. The government said the immediate transmission of the omicron variant has forced preventive measures.
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This tale corrects that of the protest in Mont des Arts, not Plos angelesce de los angeles Monnaie.
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