Amsterdam’s Red Light District has reopened for business. In light of the coronavirus pandemic, some new, even stricter hygiene protocols are in place. Reopening the district is the latest addition to the relaxation of COVID-19 preventative measures in the Netherlands.
In 2000, sex work was made legal in the Netherlands. Those who in the trade must register with the local chamber of commerce and pay income tax, according to The Guardian.
Speaking to AFP, Janet van der Berg of the Prostitution Information Center said: ‘We are, of course, used to taking care of hygiene.’
As there is less tourist activity, Van der Berg explained that not all the windows lining the Red Light District were occupied on Wednesday [July 1].
‘There are hand gels and we’ve thought about what positions are handy — or not — but that’s not in an official protocol, you can work that out for yourself. And once the client is gone, you have to disinfect the place well.
‘I think in this way we can work as safely as other people who have to work close to their clients, like hairdressers,’ said Van der Berg.
When a client books an appointment, a thorough background check needs to be done, according to The Guardian. These checks include how the client is feeling to make sure they don’t have symptoms and to ensure that if they have roommates, that they do not have symptoms either.
An activist at the Prostitution Information Center in Amsterdam and sex worker spoke to The Guardian and said that many of the women will avoid kissing their clients. Everything in the room will be disinfected after a client leaves too.
André van Dorst, director of the brothel owners’ association VER spoke to DutchNews.nl and said: ‘‘The reopening couldn’t come soon enough. Most of the help packages passed the sex workers by because of administrative issues, and they were really left high and dry. We have been the most neglected sector.’
He continued: ‘We think that they can get back to work in a safe way, without excessive risk. It’s a one-on-one job, different from going to the hairdresser and completely different from doing your shopping in Jumbo. But it is easy to have rules to minimise the risk of infection, and we’ve been working for some time with strict hygiene protocols.’
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