Venues in The Netherlands can reopen "without punishment" this weekend, according to police

Club and venue owners in the Netherlands will be able to reopen on Saturday without fear of being fined or shut down, according to police unions.

Earlier this month, club owners agreed to take part in a national protest named "De Nacht staat op," or "the night is on," to shed light on the detrimental toll that COVID restrictions have taken on the nightlife sector - according to Dutch outlet NU.nl.

As part of the protest clubs across the country will reopen for one night only, regardless of restrictions.

As clubs have reopened across Europe, the nightlife sector in the Netherlands has been one of the harder hit.

Read this next: Amsterdam club Ponton is another top venue for the city's flourishing nightlife

In December, further extensions to lockdown and nightlife ban were announced and were only thought to last until January 9 however, now they will finally re-open February 12.

The police unions decision to allow venues to reopen came after negotiations last week with the government.

According to Het Parool, the police will primarily be concerned with "tasks such as emergency aid and services to citizens." Yet they will be available in the event of emergencies at any venues.

Read this next: Illegal rave in an under-construction police station shut down by officers

Parties throughout clubs in Amsterdam have sold out, with thousands set to attend parties across the city. Venues in Rotterdam, Amersfoort and Utrecht will also be open.

NL Times have reported that earlier this week, officials including the Council of Amsterdam Clubs chairman, Pieter de Kroon and government minister Micky Adriaansens said clubs would not be allowed to officially reopen earlier than February 15.

Becky Buckle is Mixmag's Digital Intern, follow her on Twitter