Barely six hours after the lockdown tightened again, the police in Ghent had to evacuate Saint Petersburg again.
Barely six hours after the lockdown tightened again, the police in Ghent had to evacuate Saint Petersburg again. Thousands of young people gathered there for the second day in a row. At first it worked as it should, but as the evening progressed, the rules of distance and mouth masks faded. The police brought everyone home at 7 p.m., but that did not pass without a fight.
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The sun rose in Ghent on Wednesday for the second day in a row. A reference for thousands of young people to congregate in popular places like Graslei and Sint-Pietersplein. The now-familiar chalk circles of the square filled up quickly in the afternoon, but did not become unsafe.
The police took up positions at the exits to St. Peter’s Square to ensure that the situation did not get out of control. Those who sat in the chalk circle with more than ten people who were permitted or who did not wear mouth masks were addressed. Initially, it was no longer necessary to intervene in the afternoon.
On Wednesday afternoon, most of them stayed inside the chalk circles. – © fvv
Young people flock together in Saint Peter’s Square. – © Het Nieuwsblad
But as evening came, the square was getting fuller. Larger groups emerged that no longer adhered to the ten bubbles and started dancing. Alcohol and inflated music is still allowed in Ghent until 8 pm, not after that.
At around 6 pm, officers on the roads leading to the square began discouraging people from entering the square. The atmosphere in the square itself became more flexible and more flexible.
The police were monitoring the situation. Later, the square became more crowded. – © fvv
As the afternoon progressed, the wreath rules were also less and less followed. People did not stay at a distance, were no longer wearing masks and were sitting with a lot. There was also a lot of glass in the square, which is forbidden. People danced here and there in groups.
After 18 hours, the aura rules were followed less and less in the arena. – © fvv
Large groups of young people no longer abide by the rules of distance. Also, many of them did not wear mouth masks. – © fvv
Around 7:15 PM, the police decided to vacate Saint Peter’s Square again. This is the second night in a row. On Tuesday evening, the police were forced to evacuate Saint Peter’s Square after eight in the evening.
The evacuation was tumultuous. A group of several hundred young men refused to leave the yard and started kicking the donkey. Glass and beer cans were thrown at the police. There was a lot of hustle and bustle and for a long time I heard anti-gay slogans like “All policemen are gay.”
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The police systematically kicked the group off the field in the direction of Overpoort. There the weather became bleak. Several young men were arrested, but a group of young men refused to leave the neighborhood. Police, glass and all sorts of projectiles were blamed.
After a good hour the situation seemed calm. Several young men were arrested. Mayor Matthias de Klerk (Open VLD) says he is “very sorry” for the situation. “This is a smack for a lot of young people and people who are sticking to the guidelines. One has to realize that one is too exhausted for others.”
De Klerk announces an additional police presence in the coming days.
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