Netherlands: Coronavirus generates huge queues outside coffeeshops

The closure of cannabis sales outlets in the Netherlands generated huge queues at the doors of coffeeshops, which were forced to close indefinitely due to the Coronavirus pandemic, announced the France 24. Cannabis consumers flocked to coffeeshops en masse, in order to be prepared for the quarantine decreed by the authorities.

Jonathan, a Dutch cannabis buyer, told France 24 that "we may not be able to get cannabis in the next two months, so it's good to have at least some at home."

The Minister of Health, Bruno Bruins, announced at a press conference that all restaurants and bars should remain closed from 18 pm on March 00, in addition to gyms, saunas, sex clubs e coffee shops, the famous spaces where the consumption of cannabis is allowed.

The decision to close public leisure and social spaces comes from the Dutch government, in order to combat the Covid-19 outbreak. “From tomorrow, March 16, until April 6, schools and daycare centers will remain closed, except for children whose parents must continue to work,” said Education Minister Arie Slob.

In Roermond, queues also formed, close to the border with Germany, for fear that the German government would close the borders with the Netherlands, as it did for those arriving from France, Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg and Denmark.

Technically, cannabis is still illegal in the Netherlands, but possession of less than five grams of the substance was decriminalized in 1976 under the "tolerance" policy.

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Featured Photo: France 24