Amsterdam has announced a plan to counter the negative effects of mass tourism in the Dutch capital, which includes a ban on cannabis use in public areas and restrictions on opening hours for restaurants or places of prostitution.
The measures announced by the municipality of Amsterdam on Thursday should come into effect from mid-May, the Europa news agency reports.
With the smoking ban on the street, one wants to meet the persistent and growing criticism of residents.
‘If the nuisance does not decrease sufficiently, we will investigate whether we can ban smoking on coffee shop terraces’the capital’s authorities warned in a statement.
Likewise, the Chamber of Amsterdam has announced that the restriction of opening hours for restaurants and prostitution establishments will be applied at weekends.
A timetable is also set for the ban on the sale of alcoholic beverages, as well as their use on public roads, for which “measures against street vendors” will be taken.
“These proposed measures for the Red Light District should further counteract the enormous nuisance, especially at night”defended the municipality of Amsterdam.
This municipality added that the new regulations for the well-known neighborhood of the Dutch capital also include the restriction of traffic in one direction and the possibility of closing the streets of the Red Light District “during periods of maximum activity” .
“The residents of the historic center suffer greatly from mass tourism and the abuse of alcohol and drugs on the streets. Tourists also attract street vendors, who in turn cause crime and insecurity”argued the Chamber of Amsterdam.
Source: DN
