Amsterdam cancels plans for New Year fireworks shows because of Covid

Amsterdam has scrapped plans to organise several large firework shows to celebrate the New Year because of the coronavirus measures.

Mayor Femke Halsema told councillors in a briefing that the prospects for partying are ‘very gloomy’ and it would not be responsible to press ahead with organizing the shows, including a ‘spectacular’ on the Museumplein. In addition, she said, it would not have been possible to work with coronavirus passes, as required by large events.

In October, the city agreed to ban the use of consumer fireworks during the New Year festivities and replace them with centrally-organised events.

Rotterdam has not yet said if it will press ahead with its show on the Erasmus bridge, nor has The Hague yet commented on its plans.

Fireworks were also banned last year even though the rule was widely flouted. Nevertheless, the ban did lead to a 70% reduction in the number of people taken to hospital with firework-related injuries.

Government health advisors are currently looking into the option of introducing a nationwide ban, with the aim of reducing the pressure on the healthcare services.