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No large screens for Euros in June, Brussels mayors decide

Red Devils' fans pictured at a fan zone in Brussels, during the FIFA World Cup 2018 quarter final between Brazil and Belgium, Friday 06 July 2018. (BELGA PHOTO NICOLAS MAETERLINCK)
06:01 03/06/2021

The 19 mayors of the Brussels region have decided not to install giant screens showing the European Football Championships until at least 30 June. After reports on the decision were leaked by the local press, the office of the mayor of the City of Brussels Philippe Close confirmed the news on Wednesday.

The result of the next consultative committee meeting, on Friday, will provide a clearer picture of what the viewing situation for Euro 2021 will be, with the hope being that further relaxation of the current coronavirus restrictions will allow the city to enjoy a party atmosphere at large scale fan zones during the second half of the tournament.

For the time being, however, there will be no giant screens in the 19 municipalities of Brussels, nor in any large space such as the King Baudouin stadium, during the month of June. The current health measures imposed by the consultation committee are still too strict to allow them, the mayors of the capital agreed.

"It would be too difficult to enforce the measures," commented a spokesperson for the mayor of the City of Brussels. "For the restaurant sector, on the other hand, there will be a case-by-case examination of the places where it is possible to install a television screen on the terrace."

The Conference of Mayors will ask the Brussels minister-president Rudi Vervoort to transform this decision into a police order applying to the 19 Brussels municipalities, in order to put in place uniform rules for the restaurant sector.

According to the "Summer Plan" proposed by the consultation committee, it would be possible, from 1 July, to organise outdoor events for a maximum of 2,500 people if they are wearing masks and respecting social distancing rules.

Written by Nick Amies