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Dutch mayors call for a ‘fundamental review’ of coronavirus policy

Katrien Nivera 🇵🇭
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Dutch mayors call for a ‘fundamental review’ of coronavirus policy

Mayors from 30 municipalities across the Netherlands, including Amsterdam, The Hague, Rotterdam, Utrecht, and Breda, are asking the government to do a critical review of the current coronavirus policy.

These mayors have written a ‘cry for help’ to the Rutte IV cabinet and believe that the Dutch coronavirus policy is ‘lacking logic’ an opinion piece from de Volkskrant reports.

Societal values

These mayors said they will enforce coronavirus policies but would rather stand in solidarity with their residents rather than ‘punish them’ with these policies. And how can they do this? By remembering that the values of society should come before fighting the virus.

The mayors propose reopening everything — yes, really everything. Education should be accessible to everyone, and public facilities and meeting places like cultural institutions and catering should be open too. 🍲

They believe their proposed coronavirus policy would get rid of pressure put on citizens. The mayors want to avoid chaos and anger from citizens who were treated unfairly and whose sectors suffered due to lockdown. 🔐

Support across the sectors

Overall, it seems like no one is left to defend the Dutch government for its current coronavirus policy. The mayors of these municipalities are not the first to call for a big change — non-essential shops and several cultural institutions have protested for similar reasons.

The cultural sector is also working to bring the Dutch government to court for its coronavirus measures, especially after non-essential shops and contact professions got to open their doors again.

Do you think the coronavirus policy in the Netherlands needs to be reviewed? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!👇

Feature Image: Wouter Engler/Wikimedia Commons/CC4.0

More and more €1 million-plus homes sold on the Dutch market

Christine Stein Hededam 🇩🇰
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More and more €1 million-plus homes sold on the Dutch market

We know… the Netherlands is still in the midst of a seemingly endless housing crisis, in which all prices do is rise. However, Dutchies are also increasingly willing (not just forced) to pay €1 million-plus for their dream homes.

It is especially in larger cities and (you guessed it) wealthier parts of the Netherlands that more and more houses are sold above the €1 million mark, reports NU.nl.

Since the outbreak of coronavirus in the Netherlands, the share of homes sold for at least €1 million has gone from 1.5% to 5% of total sales. Why? 👇

Coronavirus crisis makes comfort king

While housing in the Netherlands has become more expensive overall, these homes fall in a category of their own — marked by a few extra zeroes. 💶 However, the selling price for these extravagant homes also mean that the market for them is less tight as demand is lower.

That means the price for houses in the €1 million-plus category rises less rapidly than your average rijtjeshuis (terraced house).

However, coronavirus, lockdowns, and work-from-home have twisted the market slightly. Over the past few years, more people are willing to pay big bucks for a home that can double as, well, everything made impossible by Miss Rona. 😅

A spokesperson from the real estate association NVM says “We see that living comfort is becoming increasingly important. For example, having an extra room.” This may have to do with working from home, he continues.

Our guess? The coronavirus crisis has made people either love or hate their home to an increasing degree. 🏡

Location, location, location

In a country characterised by living shoulder to shoulder (or at least wall to wall) with your neighbours, where are all the large houses located?

Generally, the answer is in a green environment with amenities close by, says the NVM spokesperson. For example, then an above-average proportion of homes were sold for €1 million in Blaricum, Bloemendaal, and Wassenaar — Oh, the King lives in Wassenaar by the way. 👀

Not just is the price per square metre in a million euro home €2,600 more expensive than average, these houses also tend to be from before WWII and detached.

Only in Amsterdam, were apartments sold for more than €1 million. 🙆‍♀️

What do you think of this new trend in Dutch housing? Tell us in the comments below!

Image: andrei.david.mail@gmail.com/Depositphotos

Albert Heijn drops two major international brands from its stores

Cara Räker 🇩🇪
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Albert Heijn drops two major international brands from its stores

Have a break, have a…snickers? Because of disagreements over prices, Dutch supermarket giant Albert Heijn (AH) will stop stocking Nestlé products.

Why does it matter? Well, because Nestlé is the largest food company in the world. Many of the brands that find their way into your shopping basket might as well be Nestlé products: from Pelligrino to Lion Cereal to Starbucks coffee — yup, all Nestlé.

Luckily, the disagreement only includes a small number of Nestlé brands. Beyond Kitkat and Garden Gourmet (all veggies right now:😭), Nescafé and Maggi also won’t be found on Albert Heijn shelves anytime soon.

Disagreement over price hikes

But why exactly is that? A spokesperson for Albert Heijn tells the NOS, that Nestlé demands price hikes above the 20% that is reasonable in the context of ongoing inflation. “We find this unacceptable for our clients,” says the spokesperson.

It’s also in Albert Heijn’s interest to stay competitive with other popular supermarket chains in the Netherlands, say, Jumbo or Lidl — and a price hike isn’t going to help them. Negotiations such as these take place annually with all of Albert Heijn’s trading partners.

Are you gonna miss your Kitkat? 🥺 Tell us in the comments below!

Feature Image: bigxteq/Depositphotos

Rotterdam’s Katendrecht among top 10 trendiest neighbourhoods in Europe

Cara Räker 🇩🇪
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Rotterdam’s Katendrecht among top 10 trendiest neighbourhoods in Europe

We called it — Katendrecht is up and coming! 💅🏻 The former-harbour-turned-residential-area in Rotterdam snatched spot number eight in a ranking of the top 10 hippest neighbourhoods in Europe.

The Dutch travel website time to momo asked over 20,000 locals, travellers, and city dwellers about their favourite off-the-beaten-track neighbourhoods in popular European cities.

Ready, pack, go! These are the places you should definitely visit if you’re planning a little Europe trip this summer. (Obviously, Rotterdam should be your top priority 😉). So which neighbourhoods made the list?

  • 1. Psiri, Athens;
  • 2. L’Eixample, Valencia;
  • 3. Cais do Sodré, Lisbon;
  • 4. Shoreditch, London;
  • 5. Neukölln, Berlin;
  • 6. Nørrebro, Copenhagen;
  • 7. Encarnacíon & Regina, Sevilla;
  • 8. Katendrecht, Rotterdam;
  • 9. Lavapiés, Madrid;
  • 10. ‘t Eilandje, Antwerp

Good job Spain for making the cut three times. However, if it were up to us, we’d obviously put a couple more Dutch neighbourhoods on the list.

How about the unmissable Scheveningen in The Hague with its long, sandy beaches, amazing beach bars, and top-notch kibbeling? Or the industrial charm of Amsterdam Noord with its start-ups and killer nightlife?

We say those 20,000 survey participants should make a round trip through the Netherlands because there are surely other areas deserving of a spot on this list! 😉

What’s Katendrecht about

Katendrecht really is somewhat of an underdog amongst all of the charming Dutch neighbourhoods — even in Rotterdam.

The neighbourhood used to be a rough harbour zone with many industrial buildings and an extensive red-light district. But while the industrial charm remains, there are now new hip cafés, restaurants, and bars popping up everywhere.

Rumour has it that any dedicated foodie exploring Rotterdam must make a mandatory pitstop in Katendrecht. Otherwise, you haven’t really been to Rotterdam at all. 👀

Is Katendrecht on your list of places to visit in 2022? Tell us in the comments!

Feature Image: frans_blok_3develop/Depositphotos

Don’t speak Dutch? You can now use this app in case of an emergency

Farah Al Mazouni 🇸🇾 🇺🇸
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Don’t speak Dutch? You can now use this app in case of an emergency

Individuals with speech or hearing impairments and those who don’t speak Dutch or English can now connect with emergency services around the Netherlands with a handy app!

The 112NL app, which is available to download for Android and IOS devices, can be used to connect with the police, ambulance, or fire brigade through one simple interface. A video by the Dutch national emergency control room explains how this works.

Users can set up their profiles on the app by indicating their personal characteristics (name, mobile phone number, whether they have trouble speaking or hearing) and choosing their preferred language for the chat function from a list of 109 available languages, reports RTL Nieuws.

In cases of emergency, the app will automatically share the location and the individual’s preferences with the emergency operator calling or chatting with them from the control room, allowing the emergency services to help faster. 🚨

In development

Further helpful functions will be added to the 112NL app according to the police release.

In the future, the app will include the ability to send images and video materials and have an “I can’t talk” button, with more modifications to look forward to based on users’ experiences.

The police ask users not to test the app after installation, as “misuse of 112 is punishable. Therefore, do not test the app after installation, you will then keep the line busy for people in need.”

Will you be downloading the 112NL app? Tell us in the comments below!

Feature Image:Rawpixel/Depositphotos

Dutch theatres and museums open in protest against coronavirus measures

Katrien Nivera 🇵🇭
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0
Dutch theatres and museums open in protest against coronavirus measures

Last week, the Netherlands saw protests and letters for non-essential shops to open — now it’s the cultural sector’s turn.

Around 70 theatres and a handful of museums have opened their doors to protest against the government’s announcement of the new coronavirus restrictions, reports the NOS.

Just like retail and contact professions, the cultural sector wants to open its doors to the public.

Haircuts and yoga classes

Many cultural institutions across the Netherlands have joined the protest against coronavirus measures; Limburg Museum is offering Zumba and yoga classes, and people can go to Loevestein Castle and the Mauritshuis for boot camp workouts. 🏃🏻

Theatres have been converted into massage, hairdressing, and beauty salons — a nod to the ‘relaxing’ measures that allow these contact professions to return. 💇🏻

One unique example is De Kleine Komedie (The Little Comedy). This theatre in Amsterdam has set up vintage barbershop chairs for 200 hairdressers ‘appointments’ — and customers can watch live acts from a few famous Dutch performers.

Enforcement on the way

But of course, with protests, there has to be pushback. Mayor of Amsterdam Femke Halsema announced that they would continue to enforce coronavirus measures, pointing out that these locations should not open even if they offer haircuts and exercises. 😕

Other cities including Nijmegen, Rotterdam, and Eindhoven announced that they will also enforce these measures — but as it is, it’s impossible to check if every location is following the measures.

The cultural sector will present a plan to reopen today. About 100 organisations considered how they can safely reopen their doors, taking access rules and risk levels into account.

If that doesn’t work out, the cultural sector is also working to bring the Dutch government to court for its restrictions during the pandemic. 😳

Do you think the cabinet should relax restrictions for the cultural sector? Tell us your thoughts! 💭

Feature Image: raphtong/Depositphotos

Weekly update: Dutch infections beat records but hospitals are coping

Katrien Nivera 🇵🇭
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0
Weekly update: Dutch infections beat records but hospitals are coping

The RIVM has released its weekly coronavirus figures from January 11 to January 18 — and the number of infections has continued to grow.

Over the past week, the RIVM has reported 242,961 new infections in the Netherlands. This is a significant increase compared to last week’s report of 201,536 infections.

The percentage of positive tests has slightly increased, with 36.8% compared to 34.2% from the week before.

Deaths

The number of patients who have died from coronavirus-related complications has significantly dropped compared to the past week. This week, 63 people passed away, compared to 116 people the previous week.

Hospitalisations

The number of admissions to the nursing ward and the ICU have also continued to decrease. The past week saw 553 new admissions to the nursing ward and 94 new patients in the ICU.

The week before, there were 146 patients and 116 patients respectively.

The Netherlands comes out of hard lockdown… sort of

In the first press conference of the year (and by the new Dutch cabinet), Prime Minister Mark Rutte announced that it was still too risky to completely reopen the country.

But just days before the next press conference, the OMT advised the Dutch cabinet to relax measures for the retail, education, and sports sectors — and the Dutch government took the advice.

Especially after protests and backing from local municipalities, shops across the country get a major break and non-essential shops are reopening at limited times.

Other sectors suffering

Restaurants, museums, and other cultural institutions will remain closed — but not without a fight. The Dutch cultural sector is working on a lawsuit against the government for its coronavirus restrictions, hoping to relax restrictions for them too.

Walk-in vaccination appointments possible

As promised last week, the GGD (Municipal Health Services) has announced that walk-in appointments are available throughout all of the Netherlands. Anyone can walk into a vaccination location for their first, second, or booster jab as long as they bring an ID and a face mask.

Follow DutchReview on Facebook for the latest coronavirus news and updates.

Feature Image: Anna Shvets/Pexels


5 reasons why a Dutch SIM-only subscription could be your new best friend

Christine Stein Hededam 🇩🇰
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1
5 reasons why a Dutch SIM-only subscription could be your new best friend

You’ve arrived in the Netherlands and are ready to take on life in the lowlands — now you just need a Dutch phone plan so you can tell everyone back home about it. 

But what kind of plan should you get? In the Netherlands, you can choose between a mobile phone contract (which provides you with a SIM card and a brand-new phone at the same time), a prepaid subscription, and a SIM-only subscription.

But if you already have a decently working phone when you move to the Netherlands, there’s not much need to get a mobile phone contract. 🤷‍♀️ And while a prepaid option is great for some, it gives little value for your money if you’re staying for more than a few months.

Beginning to consider a SIM-only subscription? Here are five reasons a SIM-only plan is super simple (and cheap!)

1. A sim-only subscription is super easy to set up

No fuss here. You can set up your SIM-only subscription from the comfort of your own home, on the go, or during your lunch break at work. All you need to do is take a look at the different bundles, compare the options — and press that snazzy ‘Checkout’ button! 

Almost all Dutch telecommunication companies offer SIM-only contracts, however, the price and flexibility can vary widely depending on which one you choose. You can weigh up the different options online using a vergelijker (comparer) or ask your friends and family which provider they use.  

Good to know: Most SIM-only subscriptions come with a 3-in-1 card that functions as either a regular-sized SIM-card, a micro one, or a nano-SIM — so, no need to worry about finding an option that first your existing phone!

2. It’s perfect when you’re unsure of what you need 

Next come the million-dollar question: how much data, and how many texts and calls will you be needing in the Netherlands? It differs for everyone and it may even take you some trial and error to find the perfect phone plan for your needs. 

If you’re unsure about what plan to pick, rest assured that SIM-only subscriptions come in all shapes and sizes. 

✅ Locking down a two-year plan? You got it!

✅ A standard one-year plan? Check. 

✅ Super-flexible monthly SIM-only? Oh yeah!  

What subscription length should you choose?

Let’s get down to business. A two-year plan gives you the best value for your money because you only pay a small amount each month. However, you have to commit to paying this for the full contract length. 

A one-year subscription works in the same way but will set you back a few euros more every month. Nevertheless, it’s perfect if you’re not staying in the Netherlands for so long — or just don’t feel comfortable being locked into one provider for several years.

Finally, a monthly subscription is great if you’re just testing out whether you like a certain provider, or if you aren’t in the Netherlands for a full year. Compared to the yearly plans, it’ll cost you a few euros more on a monthly basis and is, therefore, less goedkoop (cheap). However, it gives you the most freedom to change as you go. 🏃‍♂️

3. A SIM-only subscription can be easily tailored to your needs

Do you need extra data for travelling home to your family — or simply to sustain your YouTube binge? (We won’t judge!). Whether you need to top up on data or dial-up your minutes for calling your friends, a SIM-only subscription allows you to change your bundle to fit whatever plans you have for the month. 

Simply adjust the monthly data, call, and text ratio to suit your phone-use habits. This is always possible with a monthly subscription, and some providers will even let you adjust your bundle on a monthly basis when you have a yearly plan. 

4. It’s affordable — and you can get some extra benefits

While it may be tempting to jump at those big deals and grab the latest smartphone along with your new SIM card, SIM-only plans are cheaper than those that come with additional products. With a SIM-only subscription, you pay for your data, calls, and texts all in one neat bundle — with no extra costs.

As you set up your subscription, you can easily see which costs are associated with which features so you know exactly how much you’re paying for your included data, calls, and texts. 

Other costs to look out for are number porting fees, activation costs, and prices for additional use outside your bundle. 👀

5. It makes it easier to switch phones

SIM-only subscriptions are not attached to a specific phone, so you don’t have to wait for your phone plan to get the latest smartphone — so if the latest iPhone comes out and you’ve gotta have it, you can!

Even better, you can keep your subscription when you do decide to upgrade your own phone and save the hassle of finding a new phone plan.

Whether you’re staying in the Netherlands long-term or simply spending a few months enjoying the quirks of Dutch life, a SIM-only subscription can fuel all your screen addictions — and make moving so much easier.

What are your experiences with SIM-only subscriptions in the Netherlands? Tell us in the comments below!

Dutch study favours 1G coronavirus policy — daily testing here we come?

Farah Al Mazouni 🇸🇾 🇺🇸
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Dutch study favours 1G coronavirus policy — daily testing here we come?

It’s no secret that the Dutch House of Representatives is considering a replacement for the current 3G policy — therefore, a study was requested into these policies’ effectiveness and the results are in.

Currently, a 3G policy is in effect for the Netherlands. This means individuals who recovered from, got tested for the coronavirus, or were vaccinated are issued a valid QR code to be used when entering venues, such as gyms.

Since late last year, the Dutch government has been fiddling with the idea of introducing a 2G policy, meaning that only those who have been fully vaccinated or have had coronavirus in the past are allowed to obtain a valid QR code for daily use.

However, the Dutch Ministry of Health requested a study into the effectiveness of these 2G/3G measures to be used by the Dutch cabinet — and the results favour none, according to the NOS. 👀

1G rules

Delft University of Technology (TU), The University Medical Center (UMC) Utrecht, Erasmus University Medical Center (Erasmus MC), and Erasmus University Rotterdam were the arms behind a study that included more than 3000 individuals, 783 people of whom are unvaccinated.

Due to the transmissibility of the Omikron variant, the researchers found that “the effect of a corona ticket is much lower due to the introduction of the omikron variant,” reports RTL Nieuws.

The results of the study support a 1G policy as being more effective. A measure where everyone gets tested could reduce the virus reproduction rate by 45% — deeming the current corona ticket rule to be less effective without ruling out the importance of vaccines.

So now what?

The researchers believe that the coronavirus situation in the Netherlands is continuously evolving. The number of infected people and those who have been vaccinated with a booster shot will increase in a month or two from now, resulting in a decreased reproduction rate, they say.

Notably, the current Health Minister Ernst Kuipers is much like his De Jonge predecessor: in favour of applying a 2G system throughout the Netherlands.

Yet with the findings of this new research, which shows that within the current coronavirus rate it’s impossible to create a safer setting with the 2G system, “2G or 3G policy will become more difficult to defend,” says research leader Niek Mouter of TU Delft.

What do you think of the results of this Dutch coronavirus study? Tell us in the comments below!

Feature Image: artliyc@gmail.com/Depositphotos

Rent in the Netherland is at its highest ever: here’s why

Christine Stein Hededam 🇩🇰
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1
Rent in the Netherland is at its highest ever: here’s why

For a brief moment, it looked like renting in the Netherlands was becoming more accessible as rents fell in 2020 and early 2021 (one thing we can actually thank coronavirus for?). But oh how the tables have turned…

Now, a few weeks into the new year, the Netherlands is once again facing extreme rental prices, reports the NOS.

In fact, rental prices are at their highest since 2010 — which was when the Dutch started measuring the developments in rents. 😬

Supply and demand: 3 reasons rents are on the rise

According to the director of the rental site Pararius, Jasper de Groot, “The increase is not surprising.” He explains that “The demand is very high, and the supply is low. Then the prices rise.”

READ MORE | Why is there a housing shortage in the Netherlands? The Dutch housing crisis explained

Firstly, the increasing demand is fuelled by rising house prices. De Groot says that many hopeful house hunters fall short of buying a home due to the high prices in that sector. Nevertheless, they also earn too much for social housing and hence end up in private sector rentals — boosting the demand in an already pressed market.

Secondly, some people who do indeed qualify for social housing end up renting in the private sector. The waiting lists for social housing in the Netherlands are simply too long for people to put up with. However, “the private sector is too small to absorb that,” resulting in higher prices according to De Groot.

Finally, there’s us — the internationals. 🤙 While many internationals left the Netherlands at the early stages of the pandemic, the relaxation of coronavirus measures in the second half of 2021 brought us back. The result: higher demand for private rental apartments.

De Groot predicts that the current lockdown (albeit softer than a few weeks ago) may lead to a slight fall in rental prices again. 👀

Where (and where not) to rent

So, maybe you’re thinking: “how the heck am I ever gonna find a place to rent in the Netherlands.” There are two answers to that question — Nijmegen and Tilburg.

Rents in those municipalities have namely fallen compared to previous years. (Yes, run). In Nijmegen, tenants paid about 0,7% less than a year earlier and in Tilburg, tenants have found their rents a whole 4.4% cheaper.

READ MORE | 9 kooky things about renting in the Netherlands

On the other hand, the winners of the private sector price race are cities like Amstelveen and Eindhoven. These are popular with internationals and that shows in the rental prices. In Amstelveen, rents have increased by 8,4% and in Eindhoven, they’ve gone through the roof with an 11,7% increase.

What are your experiences with renting in the Netherlands? Tell us in the comments below!

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