It is a phenomenon that has been observed since the partial lockdown was announced by the Luxembourg government: shopping centres becoming increasingly crowded while customers become less cautious.
"We close restaurants, but let this go on," reads one comment under a publication showing crowds at a mall in early December. It is the kind of behaviour that has been outlawed by the authorities since the beginning of the crisis and which was the subject of a statement by the Minister of Health on 23 November.
In her statement, Lenert stressed that the government would keep shops open, but this was not an invitation for people to turn it into a sort of day trip. She urged the public to limit themselves to what was necessary. A message that does not seem to have had the desired effect. Pictures continue to circulate.
On Tuesday morning, the Minister for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, Lex Delles, also reacted to this problem by appealing for people to "behave responsibly" when they visit shopping centres. He also advised people to avoid peak rush hours.
A contradictory message if one considers that the rule of one customer per 10m2 is still in force and that it is the shopping centres that must ensure that it is respected. And with the festive season looming on the horizon, it is very likely that large groups of people will flock once again to the Grand Duchy's malls.
According to information obtained by RTL, hopes of a possible lifting of the restrictions on 15 December are fading and, according to Delles, new measures could even be introduced in the coming weeks. In particular, he mentioned compulsory counting systems, the removal of benches in commercial premises, and a ban on removing masks when in an eatery.
These are ideas that are allegedly "under discussion" within the government at the moment. And in view of the latest infection figures, it would seem that Luxembourg's decision-makers have no choice but to crack down.
