Rotterdam and Nijmegen are among six remaining Dutch towns and cities which have said they plan to make it an offence for members of the public to light fireworks during this year’s New Year celebrations, broadcaster NOS said on Friday afternoon.

Earlier it had appeared that 20 local authority areas, including Amsterdam, would ban consumer fireworks this year, but Amsterdam has already backtracked, blaming the coronavirus crisis for the lack of manpower to police a ban. Apeldoorn too has said it will not implement a ban this year.

In February, the cabinet agreed to end the sale of rockets, bangers and firecrackers to the public from this year because these are the cause of most injuries and pose the most danger to emergency service workers.

Two people died and almost 1,300 people were treated for firework-related injuries during this year’s festivities. The decision to bring in the ban is in line with police and safety board recommendations. The Dutch safety board had called for such a ban in 2017.