Sex clubs in Amsterdam’s Red Light district were told to close down and long lines formed outside marijuana ‘coffee shops’ on Sunday, as the Netherlands imposed tight restrictions to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.

The government ordered all restaurants, cafes and schools to shut down until April 6.

The measure included famous Dutch bars selling hashish and cannabis and strip clubs, Health Minister Arie Slob said. They were told to stop serving customers at 18:00 (10:30 pm IST) on Sunday.

The neighborhood draws millions of visitors to erotic dance shows, adult clubs and brothels, where prostitutes pose in lingerie behind red-lit windows.

The Casa Rosso, Peepshow, Banana Bar and Erotic Museum were among the adult entertainment venues along the capital’s old canals that said they would shut.

“In the interest of the health of staff and guests, the management no longer considers it responsible to stay open,” said a statement by de Otten Groep, a company that runs a number of the clubs, Amsterdam’s Het Parool newspaper reported.

The number of confirmed coronavirus infections in the Netherlands rose by 176 to 1,135 on Sunday, with 20 deaths, the Dutch National Institute for Public Health (RIVM) said.

The Dutch flower industry also warned on Sunday that it was facing huge losses due to canceled orders during one of the busiest times of the year.

stay connected with us! For more updates

LIKE SHARE and SUBSCRIBE

if you like the article information then press the like button, Comments you’re opinions about this article and share it with family and friends on social media platforms

SUSCRIBE Quickclarity news to get latest news update

Thank you for reading.