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One year of free public transport for the children of Rotterdam

Caitlin Elston-Weidinger 🇩🇪🇺🇸
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One year of free public transport for the children of Rotterdam

Time to pack your bags! In a push to make rail travel more accessible to families, the municipality of Rotterdam will start its first free travel trial for kids from the new year onward! 

As of January 1, 2022, all children registered in Rotterdam aged 4 to 12 can travel for free on the metros, trams, buses, and the EBS bus line, according to the OV Magazine. That’s right — free! (Dutchies, rejoice!) 

The future is greener & a whole lot more fun 🌳🎢

This trial likely won’t be the last of its kind as cities around the EU craft new ways to facilitate a post-car future. While rail travel remains rather expensive for families, the municipality of Rotterdam hopes to change this. 

READ NEXT | Born between 2001 and 2004? Next year you could be travelling through Europe — for free!

Alderman Judith Bokhove of Mobility, Youth and Language, thinks that this move could aid children in familiarizing themselves with public transport and enable them to discover their city in new ways. Not to mention giving parents a bit of break 😅   

No good deed without its costs 

The city council approved a budget of 1.9 million euros on Thursday for the implementation of this one-year trial alone.

Faouzi Achbar, the Denk (Think) party chairman who proposed the initiative, told AD that he is optimistic about the implications of this move as he believes they are providing a positive incentive, rather than taking prohibitive measures.

Which other cities would you like to see take similar action? Tell us below 🤗

Feature Image: AllaSerebrina/Depositphotos

Princess Amalia has turned 18: what does this mean for her?

Katrien Nivera 🇵🇭
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Princess Amalia has turned 18: what does this mean for her?

Gefeliciteerd to the Crown princess of the Netherlands Amalia, who has turned 18 today!👑 While most 18-year-old girls may wake up on the morning of their birthday expecting some queenly treatment, for Princess Amalia, this is exactly what she’ll be receiving.

Or at least, preparing to receive. Amalia is now old enough to become queen — but what else does this mean for the princess? 

Royal duties

Now that Amalia is of age, life as the Dutch heir will be more focused on her future as the Queen of the Netherlands. 

Up until now, if King Willem-Alexander died or abdicated the throne, either Amalia’s mother Queen Máxima or her uncle Prince Constantijn would become regent until she was of age — but this is no longer the case. 

Amalia can immediately become the queen which is an important change for her, Peter Rehwinkel, a constitutional law expert and former parliament member, tells the NOS.

Princess Amalia will also have a more public position; she can attend the tour and reading of the speech during Prinsjesdag, she may perform official duties, such as attend meetings of the Raad van State (The Council of State, an advisory body to the Dutch government and States General). 

However, the young princess is also known for breaking with tradition. This year, she made the decision to waive her right to a 1.6 million annual allowance for the time being and has also said she will not exercise her right to vote. 

Until then — internships

Like many 18-year-olds, Amalia is on a gap year following internships at home and abroad. She is expected to graduate next year but no one is sure of her plans afterwards. 

However, unlike others her age, Rehwinkel expects Amalia to start a study program that will prepare her for her royal reign, possibly at Leiden to follow in her father and grandmother’s footsteps. 📖

How do you think the princess will spend her birthday this year? Let us know in the comments below!

Feature Image: RVD – Frank Ruiter/Het Koninklijk Huis

RIVM scam alert: A fake email about a coronavirus quick test is circulating

Farah Al Mazouni 🇸🇾 🇺🇸
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RIVM scam alert: A fake email about a coronavirus quick test is circulating

The Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) released a warning on Monday regarding a phishing email asking receivers to make test appointments and give up their banking information.

This new scam comes in the form of an email from the RIVM, which lists a number of people in the area who have been infected with the coronavirus along with a link to make a rapid test appointment — free of charge.

While the email template and the motivation, which is to limit the spread of the coronavirus in your area, seem like a genuine RIVM move, it all becomes suspicious when the receiver of the email is asked to enter their banking information. 🏦 So much for a free-of-charge test.

“RIVM does not send messages about possible infections with the coronavirus in your area and will never ask for bank details,” said a spokesperson to NU.nl.

Through their official warning statement, the RIVM urged people who received similar emails not to click on the link in the email or contact the listed telephone number.

Their recommendation? Delete the email immediately after reporting the incident to the RIVM’s designated fraud portal.

Follow DutchReview on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news from the Netherlands!

Feature Image: londondeposit/Depositphotos

Snow is on the way to the Netherlands — possibly starting tonight!

Cara Räker 🇩🇪
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Snow is on the way to the Netherlands — possibly starting tonight!

Baby it’s cold outside…especially tomorrow morning! ❄️❄️ At least, that’s if you believe the latest weather forecast which predicts snowfall starting tonight. 

Yep, we hope you’ve got your winter boots and mittens! The Netherlands may be about to officially turn on the massive snow machine in the sky — but there’s a catch.

You need to be an early bird

If you want to see the snowflakes up close and personal and make some snow angels, you really have to get up early, says Philippe Schambergen of Buienradar. 

During the day tomorrow, it’s expected to be sunny again (typical Dutch weather, keeping us on our toes). This means that whatever snow has fallen during the night and early hours of the morning will melt away as soon as the sun rises. 

Where will see the most snow? 

The chance of snowfall is especially high in the north and centre of the country, particularly for any lucky ducks living in the Veluwe.  

Missed the alarm? ⏰ Don’t you worry! All is not lost, there might be a second chance for you to see some snow on Wednesday morning, RTL Nieuws reports. 

Another option is to just stay up all night. Either way, winter is coming, people!

Ready to play in the sneeuw? Let us know what your snow plans are in the comments! ​​⛄

Feature Image: nilaya/depositphotos

Dutch government halts plans to introduce 2G measures — for now

Farah Al Mazouni 🇸🇾 🇺🇸
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Dutch government halts plans to introduce 2G measures — for now

Following up on their November announcements, the Dutch government decided not to move forward with the 2G policy for now.

Dutch Minister of Health, Hugo de Jonge, explains the government’s shifting position in a letter addressed to the House of Representatives, citing the growing number of coronavirus cases in the Netherlands.

“The government has established that, given the level of infection pressure and the continuing pressure on healthcare, there will not be room in the short term to partially open up some sectors that are deemed high-risk with the use of a corona pass based on 2G,” de Jonge says in the letter.

Moving discussions to January

While the 2G policy was originally supposed to be discussed this week in the House of Representatives, the Health Minister now proposes to revisit it in January, according to the NOS. He also urges that it shouldn’t be later than that, however.

“Without the application of 2G, certain sectors, such as parts of the catering industry, cultural institutions, and events, will have to remain closed for longer than necessary,” says de Jonge.

At the same time, 3G measures are on the table for education and workplaces. These make it possible to obtain a QR code with a negative PCR test result.

What is 2G?

2G measures are built around restricting access to events or other aspects of public life to people who are unvaccinated — even if they have a negative PCR test result.

Under these measures, 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.

What does the OMT say?

Back in November, the Outbreak Management Team (OMT) urged the Dutch government to impose 2G measures as an effective way to bring the number of coronavirus infections down.

However, at this point, it’s unknown where the OMT stands on the latest government decision against 2G in the near future.

Follow DutchReview on Facebook and Instagram for the latest coronavirus news from the Netherlands.

Feature Image: DuxX73/Depositphotos

Dutch police called over suspicious gun — turns out it’s made of chocolate!

Caitlin Elston-Weidinger 🇩🇪🇺🇸
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Dutch police called over suspicious gun — turns out it’s made of chocolate!

On the eve of Sinterklaas, down a quiet Limburg street, an unassuming neighbour found a suspicious package placed on his front door and alarmed the police. After closer inspection, however, it turned out to be nothing more than a gun made of chocolate. 🔫 🎅

It looks like someone wanted to up their chocolate letter game — but the alternative gift did lead to a good bit of fuss. 

The suspicious package in question 

Upon the arrival of the police, the Maastricht resident assured the officers that he had made very few enemies over the years and had no reason to believe that anyone would threaten his life, RTL Nieuws reports. 🤔

Once the officers took a look themselves, it dawned on them: the unassuming Maastricht resident had confused a rather realistic-looking chocolate gun (as well as a chocolate box of ammunition) with an actual firearm! 

Unamused by this year’s Sinterklaas surprise, the resident asked the police to take the sweets back with them to the station. 

A tip for Sinterklaas

In a Facebook post, a Maastricht Police Spokesperson had one recommendation: “We have a tip for Sint: a chocolate letter at the front door would have been much better.” ​​🙊

Do you agree with officers or is it nice to play with tradition a bit? Let us know in the comments! 

Feature Image: Politie Basisteam Maastricht/Facebook

More and more Dutchies are screaming into the wind and smashing things

Sarah O'Leary 🇮🇪
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More and more Dutchies are screaming into the wind and smashing things

As the Netherlands approaches its second Christmas under lockdown conditions, it makes complete sense to hear that the number of people heading to the coast for a good old yell — or looking for something to smash, is increasing.

According to the NOS (yep, this is a real piece of news people), anyone whose business revolves around expressing your frustrations, has done increasingly well for themselves this year. 👊🏼

Time to go smash things

In particular, entrepreneurs who run demolition rooms have seen a significant increase in demand for their services. For example, Dagje from Breda owner, Sandor van den Brand, is currently receiving about 90 bookings a day for his “smash room,” he tells the NOS.

And what exactly is a smash room, you may be wondering? It’s simple, you go to a designated area, and you’re given some very smashable things (think plates and crockery) — and you smash them against the walls, the floor, the ceiling if you like. 🔨

Or scream into the ocean

Others have decided to go down a more… vocal route. Vocal coach, Jullie Scott, decided after the last press conference that a grand old scream into the Atlantic ocean was needed (we feel you Jullie, we feel you.) And so, she began the course, “Screaming by the Sea.” 😱

To paint a picture for you, the course consists of participants heading to the Dutch coastline, opening their gullets and putting even the screeches of the seagulls to shame.

How have you been releasing your frustrations this year? Tell us in the comments below!

Feature Image: marjan4782@gmail.com/Depositphotos

Some Dutchies are lying about their age to get an early booster shot

Cara Räker 🇩🇪
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Some Dutchies are lying about their age to get an early booster shot

Excited for your booster shot? Well, apparently, many people are. The GGD (public health service) reports having to turn down 150 applicants daily. Why? They’re trying to get that third dose of the coronavirus vaccine — even though it’s not their turn yet. 

In the Netherlands, it is currently possible for individuals born in 1942 or earlier to make an appointment for a booster shot. People with down-syndrome are also eligible. 

Adding on a few years 

However, some sneaky booster-enthusiasts are tempted to make themselves just a little bit older than they are and skip ahead. 👵👴

And unfortunately, a few people are actually getting away with it, RTL Nieuws reports. For example, the ANP news agency found that two individuals managed to slip through the cracks and receive the booster because their date of birth did not get checked properly. Woops! 

The GGD, now aware of the problem, has given instructions for strict checks of IDs and passports upon arrival at all the vaccination centres.

Want to sign up for your booster vaccine? 

Ready to get that third jab? Great! Once it’s your age categories’ turn (and no sooner!) you should be able to register yourself for the booster. 

The official recommendation is that people should register online rather than waiting for a call from the RIVM (National Institute for Public Health and the Environment). This is in order to take pressure off the call centres. 

Are you excited for your booster shot? Let us know in the comments!

Feature Image: IgorVetushko/depositphotos

Forget officers, the streets of Amsterdam are patrolled by moms

Farah Al Mazouni 🇸🇾 🇺🇸
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Forget officers, the streets of Amsterdam are patrolled by moms

No cold, wind, or rain will stop them. Who are they? They’re about 30 neighborhood mothers who guard the streets in Amsterdam Nieuw-West at night.

Rolling in invisible capes and reflective vests, the group of mothers has been keeping their eyes on their neighborhood for the past year and a half to prevent crime and unrest, according to the NOS.

During their nightly rounds, the mothers — who work closely with the police, municipality, and local youth workers — address young people that they run into about their behavior or about the fact that they’re out on the street late. 🔦

“Sometimes we only see a few young people in one evening. We just keep doing our rounds. Even though we don’t see them, they do see us. And sometimes you see them running away, but at least they know we’re there,” says neighborhood mother Kouatar.

A motherly approach

Their protective motherly-love approach seems to be working. Their district is quiet compared to others, especially in light of the recent violent riots against the coronavirus measures.

In an interview for Echt Amsterdams Nieuws, the women proudly say that they represent all mothers from the Nieuw-West — as they treat the youngsters they run into like their own children.

“We call the children our children and they listen well,” says mother Hafida. 🤗

What do you think of this method in keeping the city streets safe? Let us know in the comments!

Feature Image: benkrut/Depositphotos

Former Queen of the Netherlands tests positive for coronavirus

Sarah O'Leary 🇮🇪
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Former Queen of the Netherlands tests positive for coronavirus

Turns out that even the palace walls aren’t enough to keep coronavirus at bay. Former Queen of the Netherlands, Princess Beatrix, has tested positive for COVID-19.

Like many of us at the moment, the former queen decided to get herself tested due to mild cold symptoms. The result? Yep, it’s coronavirus. 🦠

READ MORE | Coronavirus symptoms? PCR test no more, Dutch Health Ministry says

According to a press release from the Royal House, Princess Beatrix is currently in isolation and her potential contacts are being notified.

Well prepared

The fact that the princess is 83 years old is not exactly comforting — but thankfully, she has already received her third shot of the vaccine. 💪

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Feature Image: Buurserstraat38/Depositphotos

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