According to Noémie Maertz, certified educator at the non-profit Stëmm vun der Strooss ("Voice of the street"), the pandemic completely disrupted the association's work. Stëmm vun der Strooss had to close all of their services except for their restoration service on 16 March.
Maertz explained that it took some time to figure out how the association could safely offer its services again.
The first offers were made available again in mid-May. Some had to be completely reinvented while others had to sacrifice spontaneity. The association's Kleederstuff for instance, a department which is collecting donated second hand clothes, is currently only open by appointment.
The social restaurants have also reopened in mid-July, on a rota and under the regular safety measures. People now only have 25 minutes to finish their meals, a rule which Maertz admitted caused problems during the recent heat wave.
While Stëmm vun der Strooss is partly co-ordinated by the Ministry of Health, the association is also dependent on donations. Maertz stated that there had been little problems on this front as many people showed solidarity over the past months.
