Theaters Open as Hairdressers for a Day to Protest a Dutch Lockdown

Dozens of theaters and museums within the Netherlands deliberate to open as hair salons and gymnasiums on Wednesday in what was billed as a playful protest over a continued nationwide lockdown within the arts sector whilst restrictions on some companies had been diminished.

The nation entered a full lockdown in December, fearing {that a} rise in circumstances would overwhelm its comparatively small intensive care capability. And though the federal government relaxed a few of the measures final week — reopening nonessential retailers till 5 p.m. in addition to gyms, hairdressers, nail salons and brothels — Prime Minister Mark Rutte stated that cinemas, museums, theaters and live performance venues would stay closed.

In response, dozens of arts organizations joined a protest that they named “Theater Hairdresser,” during which theaters open as hair salons and a few museums are opening their doorways as gyms. The Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam was providing beard trims, haircuts and manicures, with an possibility of “Van Gogh impressed nail artwork.”

“And ready on the hairdresser’s has by no means been extra enjoyable,” the organizers’ web site stated, referring to occasions being organized at theaters involving a number of Dutch celebrities. Folks even acquired haircuts whereas listening to classical music at Amsterdam’s royal live performance corridor.

The Netherlands reported nearly 243,000 new virus circumstances over the previous week, up from nearly 202,000 the week earlier than, in response to authorities knowledge. However hospitalizations are falling: Final week, 647 Covid sufferers had been admitted to the hospital, down from 940 the week earlier than.

“The precedence isn’t clear,” Sanne Wallis de Vries, a comic who’s an organizer of “Theater Hairdresser,” informed a Dutch speak present on Tuesday, saying that she didn’t perceive why theaters needed to stay closed whereas shops had been allowed to open.

Mayor Femke Halsema of Amsterdam stated she that will not enable the protest and that lockdown guidelines can be enforced within the metropolis.

However Ms. Wallis de Vries stated: “That is solely playful. This solely enjoyable.”

“What do you acquire by prohibiting it?” she requested.