The Dutch government has extended curfew measures to casinos and slot halls in a number of additional regions as part of an effort to prevent further spread of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19).The restrictions, which came into effect yesterday (27 September), mean venues in Groningen, Flevoland, Zuid-Holland Zuid, Gelderland-Zuid, Gooi- en Vechtstreek, Zaanstreek en Waterland, Noord-Brabant Noord and Noord-Brabant Zuidoost will have to be fully closed by 1am every day.
Dutch gambling trade association VAN Kansspelen also advised that meetings of 50 or more people in gambling venues should be reported to Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport.
Casinos and slot halls in the regions of Amsterdam-Amstelland, Haaglanden, Hollands Midden, Rijnmond and Utrecht already faced curfew measures.
VAN Kansspelen also again published existing requirements for gambling venues to ensure that they are operating in line with Covid-19 regulations.
These include guests having to disinfect their hands before entering the facility and keeping 1.5m apart when inside, while staff much clean slot machines after use.
A maximum of 100 customers are allowed inside a gambling venue at any one time, while each facility should appoint a ‘Corona Coordinator’ to ensure that all Covid-19 requirements are being adhered to by the operator.
Meanwhile, Dutch business and employee federations MKB-Nederland and VNO-NCW have launched a new campaign on social media calling for all Dutch citizens to comply with Covid-19 measures in order to avoid a second national lockdown.
The campaign urges people to “pull out all the stops to prevent a second wave and lockdown”, appealing to businesses and other organisations to spread the message.
“If we continue on this line, healthcare will again be overburdened and we risk ending up in a second lockdown and we will all be back home soon,” the two organisations said.
“Our economy will shrink further, with disastrous consequences for jobs, business, welfare and future tax revenues. This must absolutely be avoided.”
MKB-Nederland and VNO-NCW also issued a call for the national government to enhance testing across the country to help prevent any further spread of the virus.
Casinos and slot halls in the Netherlands reopened on 1 July after closing in mid-March.
