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Travellers from China to Netherlands now must have negative COVID-19 test

Lyna Meyrer 🇱🇺
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Travellers from China to Netherlands now must have negative COVID-19 test

Starting Tuesday, January 10, travellers entering the Netherlands from China are required to show a negative COVID-19 test.

Giving us major 2021 vibes, the new requirement was announced by the Ministry of Health last week in reaction to China’s ongoing tsunami of coronavirus cases. 🦠

Emergency scheme

Since the Dutch Senate is currently in recess, a new corona legislation is yet to be voted on. Until then, the government has to regulate the test obligation via an emergency scheme, NU.nl reports. 

In a letter to parliament, Health Minister Ernst Kuipers gave the Kennemerland safety region, where Schiphol Airport is located, the responsibility to enforce the test obligation. 🧪

Test before boarding

Travellers from China were previously offered a voluntary COVID-19 test upon arrival in the Netherlands. However, the new legislation means they must show a negative test before boarding their plane. 🛬

The GGD will check tests of passengers upon arrival, and can impose fines for people without valid proof of a negative test result.

AGED LIKE MILK | The end of COVID-19 in Europe? Yes, says the WHO

Along with this, travellers from China are strongly advised to wear a medical mask during their flight to the Netherlands. 😷

It remains unclear whether the test obligation also applies to people who transfer through Chinese airports. 

Should we be worried?

According to the Dutch Outbreak Management Team (OMT) and the Social Impact Team (MIT), there is no need to worry. 😮‍💨

The OMT thinks that travellers arriving in the Netherlands from China do not directly pose a threat to people in the Netherlands. Thanks to immunity gained from infections and vaccinations, the Netherlands should still be sufficiently protected against the virus. 💪

What do you think about the new test obligations for travellers from China? Tell us in the comments!

More Dutchies choose to make their baby announcements gender neutral

Eva Gabriella
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More Dutchies choose to make their baby announcements gender neutral

In 2022, more Dutch parents gave gender neutral names to their babies instead of gender specific names, and we’re oohing and aahing at the effort. 👶

RTL Nieuws reports that Sam, Bo, Isa, Jip, and Lou were among the most popular names given to boys and girls this past year. 

But that’s not the only thing that’s gender neutral — more Dutch parents are choosing to ditch gender-specific indicators when announcing the arrival of their bundle of joy.

Can one name be for all?

Onomistician Gerrit Bloothoft from Utrecht University tells RTL that although one name can be used for both genders, “one gender eventually wins.”

For example, the name Sam was given to 495 boys and to 85 girls.

READ MORE | No more unnecessary gender registration – New Dutch Government

Of course, generic girls’ and boys’ names were still used, but the unisex category was “by far the most popular”, tells Ellen Boertien of hippogeboortekaartes.nl

Which fits in perfectly with the new beige baby bedroom trend. 

Why is this a trend?

Dutch parents want their children to grow up without stereotypical male-female indicators placed on them, allowing them to develop qualities and skills not necessarily tied to one gender.

And names aren’t the only thing that are becoming less gender specific.

Pink and blue are soooo 2010 

Along with non-binary baby names came the ‘sad beige baby’ label. Beige is a gender neutral colour, just as the names Isa or Lou are gender neutral.

@skylarraecruz

and I’ll do it again

♬ original sound – skylarraecruz

Despite the efforts, you can’t so easily sway everyone in a gender-neutral cradle. 🚼

READ MORE | Having a baby in the Netherlands? All the Dutch vocab you’ll need

If beige isn’t your colour, don’t fret just yet! Yellow, moss green, and terracotta are also popular baby room colours among Dutch parents. So don’t ditch your Pinterest baby room board, or you’ll regret it.

Bears, badgers, and bunnies?

What have these woodland animals got in common with a baby? They all start with the letter B! Just kidding (although it’s true). 

It seems that the Dutch are also not looking to give any hints about their newborn’s gender in their choice of announcement cards. Cardseller Ellen tells RTL that “cards with forest animals are chosen a lot, which is gender-neutral.”

Pink, blue, Sam, Lou. The Dutch don’t care whether or not you can tell if their bald baby is male or female, they just want their children to grow up unbridled by gender stereotypes — and we love it. 💪

Would you give your baby a gender-neutral name? They are lovely. Tell us in the comments below!

Delivery man parks in front of Schiphol, leaves engine running, and jumps out to…catch a plane?

Francesca Burbano
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Delivery man parks in front of Schiphol, leaves engine running, and jumps out to…catch a plane?

Last night, a special alarm went off at Schipol airport after a delivery van full of packages was parked with the engine running in front of the entrance to Departure Hall 3. 

There was no trace of the driver until the military force police found out that the man had simply decided to say “doei” to the Netherlands and boarded a plane, reports AD.nl. 

Legit, he just didn’t come back. Like, what?

A turn of events

It’s not abnormal for couriers to briefly park their vehicle in front of the departure halls to deliver a package — they just normally leave afterwards.

According to a spokesperson of the Dutch military police, footage revealed that the delivery person had no intention of returning to his vehicle (or, we guess, his job).

He left quietly for customs, got on the plane, and, just like that: took off for a holiday. ✈️

“Perhaps he thought this was a convenient way to park his vehicle,” chuckled the spokesperson. To be fair, the parking costs at Schiphol are pretty criminal anyway.

READ MORE | Good news! Two Dutch airports to compensate passengers who missed flights

No criminal offence 

According to the military police, the courier did nothing criminal except that he was not allowed to park in that section. That’s a problem that needs to be sorted out between the driver and his boss. 

Oh, speaking of the boss: the owner of the cargo company was unaware of his employee’s travel plans and had to pick up the van and move it himself. 😬

As for the driver’s motivation behind the incident? Yep, that remains entirely unclear. We can only hope he’s sipping cocktails on a tropical island somewhere to make it worth it. 🍸

What do you think about this bizarre situation? Tell us in the comments below! 

This “affordable” solar-powered Dutch car just hit the market, and it looks promising af

Lyna Meyrer 🇱🇺
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This “affordable” solar-powered Dutch car just hit the market, and it looks promising af

Besides LeydenJar, another Dutch company is killing the game at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas: electric car producer, Lightyear.

The high-tech company has just opened the waitlist for its brand-new solar-powered car, the Lightyear 2. And we might just HAVE TO sign up. 🤩

READ MORE | Dutch students invent fully solar-powered campervan — and it works!

This is the company’s second production model, following the Lightyear 0 (formerly known as Lightyear One), which hit the market in November 2022.

To infinity and beyond 

The Lightyear 2 hosts some pretty cool stats, so buckle up! The vehicle will have five seats and an aerodynamic design with solar panels on the roof. 

READ MORE | Dutch students invent car that captures more C02 than it emits 

Powered by the sun, and thanks to a powerful battery, the Lightyear 2 will need to charge less often than regular electric cars — saving owners expensive power costs. 🔋

The car is expected to have a range of over 800 kilometres between charges while emitting 50% less CO2 than other electric cars. Geweldig! (Amazing!) ☀️💪

The Lightyear 2 not only has impressive stats, but also a sleek design. Images: Lightyear

So, what’s the damage?

If you’re interested in purchasing your own Lightyear 2, you better start pinching pennies — because you’re looking at around €40,000. 💰

The good news: you have some time to save up, because the production of the new Lightyear 2 won’t start until the end of 2025.

READ MORE | 7 innovative Dutch projects for a sustainable future

While €40,000 sounds like a big sum, at this price point, the Lightyear 2 only costs a fraction of its predecessor, which came out at a whopping €250,000. 🤯

And if you’d rather test drive before signing up for the real deal, you can do so using the car-sharing companies, like MyWheels and LeasePlan, which are among Lightyear’s customers. 🚗

What are your thoughts on Lightyear’s new solar-powered car? Tell us in the comments!

These Dutchies just invented a device that will charge your phone in 5 minutes

Lyna Meyrer 🇱🇺
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These Dutchies just invented a device that will charge your phone in 5 minutes

You may have heard rumours about the Dutch being pretty innovative. Well, here are some Dutchies who are once again proving them to be true!

A Dutch company has invented “the battery of the future” — and investors at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) are all eyes. 👀

READ MORE | 7 great Dutch inventions you never knew were Dutch

Created by LeydenJar, this battery can hold double the amount of energy, and be recharged within five minutes. 😱 

How does it work?

LeydenJar’s battery has a much higher capacity than the ones our devices are currently using. We’ll spare you the details, but here’s a simplified explanation of how it works:

In conventional batteries, the negative pole is made out of graphite, but LeydenJar has replaced this with pure silicon. This allows for a much higher energy density. 🔋

Good news for everyone

Hoera! This invention is handy-dandy, not only for smartphones, but for all gadgets that have batteries in them — even cars! 

READ MORE | The Netherlands is home to the most electric car charging points in all of Europe

It’s no surprise that LeydenJar has already signed a deal with BMW. 🚗 

When can I get one?!

While this all sounds helemaal top, there are some hurdles that LeydenJar still needs to overcome before their battery can hit the market.

Because silicon swells up enormously when charged, the battery as it currently exists wears out too quickly, leading it to break after a few 100 uses.

Considering that most people charge their phones and laptops every day, this is simply not enough. 💻

But fear not, LeydenJar is working hard to bring its invention into our devices — and the opening of their factory in Brabant in 2026 will be a biiiiig step in the right direction. 

What do you think of LeydenJar’s battery? Tell us in the comments below!

Dutch wages are increasing at a historical rate, and it’s simply not enough

Mihály Droppa
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Dutch wages are increasing at a historical rate, and it’s simply not enough

While the average person in the Netherlands now makes 3% more than last year, it’s still not enough to cover the costs of the country’s current record-breaking inflation. 

While we are witnessing the highest wage increase since 2008, it is still not easy to enter any supermarket without getting slapped in the face by the prices. 

Over the past year, consumer prices have risen by approximately 10%. As a result, even with a wage increase, the average Dutchies will have a slimmer wallet at the end of the month compared to this time a year ago, RTL Nieuws reports. 

So, who got what? 

While there’s still a huge teacher shortage in the Netherlands, wages rose the most in the education sector. According to a new calculation of the CBS, teachers were given a 7% rise in the fourth quarter of 2022. 

READ MORE: Interest, inflation, and lower house prices: what does this mean for Dutch housing?

While it looks like the decision-makers were not moved by the farmers’ protests last year, in the agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and energy sectors wages rose only by 2%.

The good news is that collective bargaining wages are expected to rise sharply again in the new year because many new collective agreements are only taking effect in 2023. 

Simply not enough

And will any of these wage increases be enough to tackle the current cost of living crisis? Nee. 

In fact, in spite of a general rise in wages, the average worker in the Netherlands will now enjoy a wage development of -6%, CBS reports. 🙃

saving-money-woolsocks-the-netherlands
It getting harder to save money at the end of the month. Image: Depositphotos

Meaning that yep, that monthly payslip will be, on average, 6% less powerful than it was last year. Top. 

Turns out we have unions

Don’t fret just yet, however. It’s not all doom and gloom. 

One of the many things that we can thank the crazy high inflation for, however, is the fact that we were forced to focus more on worker’s unions. 

Their main goal nowadays is to demand higher wages. Shocking, right? They demand that the increase would be in addition to their demand for an aperiodic wage increase. 

Which is your favourite crisis nowadays? Tell us in the comments!

Were the predictions right? These were the most popular Dutch baby names in 2022

Liana Risseeuw 🇱🇰
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Were the predictions right? These were the most popular Dutch baby names in 2022

In June of last year, 24baby dropped their predictions for the top baby names for Dutchies in 2022. As we ride further into 2023, one question remains: how accurate were those predictions? 🤔

Luckily for us, the SVB (the Dutch social insurance bank) just dropped their list of the top baby names in 2022, so let’s see what names were taking the Netherlands by storm!

Noah, Emma, and Sam take the crown

A whopping 871 baby boys were named Noah in the last year, and this lovely name was closely followed by:

  • Liam
  • Luca
  • Lucas
  • Mees
  • Finn
  • James
  • Milan
  • Levi
  • Sem

READ MORE | Names in the Netherlands: the ultimate guide to Dutch names

Emma was the reigning queen of girl baby names last year, as Dutch parents decided to gift this name to 677 baby girls. She was also joined by:

  • Julia
  • Mila
  • Sophie
  • Olivia
  • Yara
  • Saar
  • Nora
  • Tess
  • Noor

Meanwhile, the Netherlands embraces inclusivity with the growing popularity of gender-neutral names.

Sam was the most popular gender-neutral choice, with 581 little tots now bearing the name. Hot on their heels was:

  • Isa
  • Bo
  • Jip
  • Lou
  • Charlie
  • Noa
  • Dani
  • Quinn
  • Bowie

Well, were the predictions accurate?

Surprisingly, yes!

24baby did not include any predictions on gender-neutral names, however, based off of the boys and girls, they got 8 out of 10 baby boy names and 7 out of 10 baby girl names right, leading to an accuracy rating of 75%.

Was your favourite name on the list? Tell us in the comments below!

The population of the Netherlands is booming (thanks to us internationals)

Eva Gabriella
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The population of the Netherlands is booming (thanks to us internationals)

Population growth in the Netherlands is skyrocketing as many foreign migrants are continuing to make the small land of giants their new home.

The Central Bureau of Statistics announced that the Netherlands is dealing with its biggest increase in new inhabitants ever, reports Trouw.nl.

In 2022, the population was decreasing in 61 municipalities. This year, it’s only 9. 🤯

And no, the Dutch are not getting unusually busy under their sheets. 

Knock, knock, who’s there?

Buitenlanders. (Foreigners.) Who can blame them, really, when the lowlands boast so many perks?

However, some of us aren’t here simply for the perks. For many, the Netherlands acts as a safe haven. For example, since February 2022 the Netherlands has invited many Ukrainian war refugees into the country.

READ MORE | The Netherlands prepares to take in 25,000 Ukrainian refugees

Now, about five Ukrainian immigrants per thousand people now live in about half of the municipalities in the Netherlands. Welkom in Nederland! 💖

However, let’s not forget that more and more internationals are moving to the Netherlands to study as well, adding to the population increase.

Anti-aging

Not only does the Dutch population never stop growing, but it also seems the Dutch never stop living either. At least that’s what the current mortality rate would suggest.

While the Dutch rate of mortality is indeed decreasing, this decrease actually goes hand in hand with the Netherlands’ exceptional pull on young foreign migrants. These young migrants, in turn, lower the mortality rate in many municipalities.

What do you think? The more, the merrier? Tell us in the comments below!

Dutch trains sucked more than usual in 2022, stats say

Eva Gabriella
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Dutch trains sucked more than usual in 2022, stats say

In 2022, Dutch rail networks lost all control as train systems suffered 450 causal disruptions. The result? Train travellers in the Netherlands faced the most trouble in YEARS. 😅

According to the NOS, Prorail, the Dutch governmental organisation responsible for the national railway networks, was a nuisance to loyal train users last year.

We guess you can say they weren’t so pro after all. *ba-dum ppsssshhhh* 

Why and how?

Staff shortages, collisions, system errors, and delays do point the finger towards this reputable company.

Director John Voppen, at Prorail, acknowledges that “there is work to be done for the rail sector. Let’s invest in our people and resources to improve performances.”

That being said, Prorail isn’t all to blame. Another culprit was that good ol’ friend of ours — the Netherlands’ temperamental weather.

Good things (and trains) come to those who wait

Voppen’s message is good news for the 1.1 million daily train travellers in the Netherlands. Except, things won’t change instantly.

Rail work will disrupt at least 40 tracks in 2023, so get ready to release your pent-up rage about NS trains in our comments section. It’s definitely one of our readers’ favourite things to do. 😉

READ MORE | People are now throwing stones at NS trains (and it’s not exactly helpful)

If it all gets too much, you can always put yourself on a train that whisks you to another country — hopefully one with fewer delays.

What was your experience with the trains in 2022? Tell us in the comments below!

This literal Nazi TREASURE MAP just got released to the public

Lyna Meyrer 🇱🇺
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This literal Nazi TREASURE MAP just got released to the public

Time to strap on your hiking boots, pack your backpacks and get digging! As part of the annual ‘public access day,’ the Dutch National Archives have just published a real Nazi treasure map. 

Yep, you read that right! And the best part? The treasure on the map has not been found yet! 

… or at least that’s what they think. 😏

Will we be rich?

The content of the treasure is said to be made up of four zinc ammunition boxes with valuables such as watches and jewellery, as RTL Nieuws reports. 

Sounds boring? Well, according to Annet Waalkens of the National Archives, the treasure is “worth several millions” 😱

Translation: “Don’t tell anyone, but I suddenly have an idea on how to find the treasure in Ommeren.”

According to the NOS, the valuable loot was plundered by German soldiers from a branch of the Rotterdamsche Bank in Arnhem in August of 1944. 

READ MORE | Photo report: the Netherlands at war, 1940-1945

After explosions struck the building during the defence of Arnhem, it was said that German soldiers made use of the situation. They put the valuables in their coats, and buried them later on — supposedly right here in the lowlands. 🤔

So, where can we start treasure hunting?

Grab your OV Chipkaart, because we’re hopping onto a train to Gelderland. To be exact, the treasure we’re looking for can be found near a tiny village called Ommeren. 🔍

READ MORE | Hidden… treasure? Mummified animal discovered by new homeowners in Dutch town

But don’t quit your job just yet, because it’s not as easy as we think …

Precisely due to its high value, the Dutch state has tried to uncover the treasure in the past, but to no avail. 

Now the question is: was the story all made up? Did amateur treasure hunters find the valuables? Or… IS THE TREASURE STILL BURIED THERE?

What do you think happened to the Nazi treasure? Tell us your thoughts in the comments!

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