Antwerp Shisha Bar Owners Protest COVID-19 Smoking Ban

26 July 2020 – bySylvanus@Bladi · 1 min read

Many shisha bar managers in Antwerp are opposed to the ban on individual and collective use of shisha (water pipes) in public places. This measure, which came into effect on Saturday, July 25, 2020, aims to curb the worrying spread of the coronavirus in this province.

"No politician has come here and seen our investments to ensure compliance with the health measures due to the coronavirus," fumes Dina El Founti, manager of the Monaco shisha bar. According to him, the managers of this type of establishment have taken several actions to "ensure that the virus does not spread," reports La Dernière Heure "We were even ready to reduce the bubbles to, for example, five customers," he adds.

The manager says that his business is limited to tea or coffee, which creates a huge shortfall for him. "Our customers don’t come for that and there are enough nice terraces around. Moreover, we pay 1,500 euros per year for our shisha bar operating license," he regrets. Faced with the situation, the owners are calling for an urgent consultation on the issue.

Category: Belgium

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Antwerp