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OMT advice: mandatory medical face masks in the Netherlands

Katrien Nivera 🇵🇭
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OMT advice: mandatory medical face masks in the Netherlands

While we wait for tomorrow’s press conference for an update on the coronavirus measures in the Netherlands, the Outbreak Management Team (OMT) has advised the cabinet that people wear medical face masks. 😷

This goes, among others, for public outdoor spaces where the 1.5-metre distance rule cannot be kept, including shopping streets, sports venues, and during demonstrations, reports the NOS.

A breath of fresh air?

Well, not really. While a mask mandate isn’t new to the Netherlands, the cabinet has been advised to specifically make medical masks (minimum Type II) mandatory — meaning you wouldn’t be able to use non-medical masks, like ones made from cloth, anymore.

These are the types of masks healthcare professionals wear. We can only guess what that says about the state of coronavirus in the Netherlands. 😕

Indoor measures to change

The OMT has also advised that people wear a medical mask in public indoor spaces, where people from different households may gather regardless of whether social distancing rules can be kept.

Tieners would not be exempt from this rule — anyone over the age of 13 should wear a face mask even when seated unless they are eating or drinking.

This rule would also apply to many institutions, such as colleges and universities, cultural institutions, companies, and offices. The only exception would be when people are exercising.

What counts as medical and non-medical

If you’re unsure what type of mask you’ve been wearing, here’s a quick breakdown of the types of masks and their classification.

Type of maskDescription
Non-medical face masksThese masks are not subject to legal requirements in terms of the quality and protection they offer. They don’t protect the wearer but if worn properly, they can protect others. Cloth masks are part of this category.
Surgical/medical face masks (Type I, II, and IIR)These masks are intended for healthcare professionals. They are less effective in protecting the wearer from outside viruses and bacteria because air-borne particles can enter through the sides. While type Type I provide the lowest degree of protection, Type II medical masks, which the OMT is recommending, have a filter of 98%.
FFP mouth-nose masksThese masks are worn completely to the face and are intended to protect the wearer from inhaling harmful substances in the air, including a virus.
Source: NOS

At the moment, all non-essential shops and most public institutions are still closed, so we’re going to have to wait for the cabinet’s final decision until tomorrow’s press conference.

What do you think about the mandatory use of medical masks? Tell us in the comments. 👇

Feature Image: Gustavo Fring/Pexels

Meet Arden: one of Amsterdam’s favourite photographers (photos inside!)

Jen Lorimer 🇿🇼
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Meet Arden: one of Amsterdam’s favourite photographers (photos inside!)

If you follow DutchReview on Instagram — which you definitely should — you may be familiar with arden_nl whose work we frequently share. He has an absolutely stunning feed, and it’s safe to say that finding Amsterdam shots as gorgeous as his would prove to be quite a feat.

Arden’s Instagram and content-creation business has grown so much in the past year that he’s put his software engineer career on hold and dived into photography full time — thanks for blessing our feeds, Arden. 😉

Who is Arden?

Arden is a 32-year-old photographer and content creator based in Amsterdam. He specialises in aerial photography, colourful patterns and scenes, architecture, reflections, and city lights. His work really is swoon-worthy.

The beauty of Amsterdam in warm colours. Image: arden_nl/Supplied

His stunning shots reach millions of people each week on social media, and he’s even had his photos published by renowned mass media outlets, such as the BBC and Euronews.

Where can you see his work? 

He currently has two photography exhibitions in Amsterdam. One at Samsara Books & Art Store in Amsterdam (Oude Spiegelstraat 7) and another at Le Flaneur (Prinsengracht 260) where he showcases his framed images of Amsterdam, and other parts of the world. 🌎

The streets of Amsterdam in Autumn. Image: arden_nl/Supplied

Want to be a pro photographer too? 

Do you dream of being able to capture and share the beauty you see in Dutch cities, but feel that you don’t have the tools (a fancy camera) or the skills? Geen problem (no problem), Arden is your guy.

picture-of-Amsterdam-city-at-night-ArdenNL-Arden
Amsterdam’s beauty at night. Image: arden_nl/Supplied

He offers one-to-one mobile phone photography and night photography workshops in Amsterdam, so you can become a pro too with the iPhone that lives in your pocket — perhaps even create your own “Starry Night”! Sign us up! 🤩

You can find Arden on Instagram, Facebook, and of course, on his website!  

Have you checked out Arden’s gorgeous work? Tell us in the comments below!

Feature Image: Arden-nl/Supplied

Firefighters in this Dutch village will come to your rescue on their ‘fiets’

Cara Räker 🇩🇪
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Firefighters in this Dutch village will come to your rescue on their ‘fiets’

Starting this week, firefighters of the Dutch village Breukelen will hop on their bikes to save the day. Have you ever heard anything more Dutch? 😂

Just imagine this: there’s a fire in the town of Breukelen, Utrecht. The alarm sounds through town and the town’s brave firefighters rush to put on their gear. In groups, they hurry out of the fire station, zoom past the fire truck, and hop onto their trusty e-bikes to save the day!

Say, what?? Well, it’s true. But don’t worry, there’s a good reason for it. The Dutch are madly in love with their bikes but (for the most part) they’ve stayed sane.

“Rather smiling faces, than no fire brigade”

This is the fire station’s solution to the puzzle: a bridge that needs fixing. There is a single bridge crossing the river de Vecht in the village Breukelen, and for the next couple of months, it is under construction, reports AD.

The problem? The station is on one sight of the river, but much of the area the firefighters are meant to protect is on the other. And while there is a temporary bridge in place, the fire truck is far too heavy to cross it.

So, there are only two options remaining. Either taking the fire truck on a detour of several kilometres to the next bridge or hopping on the fiets and speeding across the temporary fixture.

True to their Calvinist roots, the Dutch naturally chose the most straightforward and pragmatic approach. The Commander of the Breukelen firefighter unit Nick van Schaik says: “Rather smiling faces, than no fire brigade.” 💪

E-bikes for the everyday hero

Naturally, the firefighters will still need their cars to reach fires outside of the village. A temporary, make-shift fire station has been set up on the other side of the bridge. The bikes are only used to get there as fast as possible.

And because they’re using e-bikes, it really takes no time at all! The 600 metres from the fire station to the temporary car are covered in a mere 1.5 minutes. “We won’t be out of breath by the time we reach the car,” commander Tim van Dommelen tells AD happily. 🚒

A first time for everything

The fact that the temporary fire station on the other side of the river is on a farm just adds another fun element to the story.

The firefighters have been asked to back out slowly for the first couple of metres so they don’t disturb the animals with car noises.

“I have been with the fire brigade for forty years and have never experienced anything like this,” says firefighter Herman Lokhorst, “It’s unique.”

What do you think about firefighters on bikes? Tell us in the comments!

Feature Image: kokal/Depositphotos

The first day of Rutte IV: this is what’s happening

Katrien Nivera 🇵🇭
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The first day of Rutte IV: this is what’s happening

After almost a year since Rutte III resigned and what has been the longest Dutch cabinet formation in history, the Rutte IV cabinet finally takes office this Monday. 🧑‍⚖️

It will be a day full of traditions for the incoming ministers from the VVD (People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy), D66 (Democrats 66), CDA (Christian Democratic Appeal), and ChristenUnie (Christian Union), reports the NOS.

Swearing in a new batch

The swearing-in ceremony usually takes place in Huis Ten Bosch, the royal palace in the Hague. But to keep to the 1.5-metre distance rule, the ceremony will be held in the Great Ballroom of Noordeinde Palace instead.

True to the coronavirus spirit, RTL Nieuws reported that the intended Minister of Finance and D66 leader, Sigrid Kaag, will be sworn in digitally, as she recently tested positive for the virus and is in isolation. 🦠

After the swearing-in ceremony, the ministers have a photo opportunity with the king and prime minister, which will also take place in Noordeinde Palace (again, for social distancing requirements).

Prime-Minister-Mark-Rutte-third-cabinet-and-Dutch-King-Willem-Alexander-outside-Paleis-Noordeinde
The new cabinet isn’t going to look too different from this — just expect a 1.5-metre distance between ministers, shaggier haircuts, and more women. Image: Valerie Kuypers/Wikimedia Commons/CC 4.0

Work cut out for them

After their photo opportunity, the new cabinet will have their first meeting in the Binnenhof — and they already have a lot on their plate.

The public is expecting a new press conference tomorrow since the last hard lockdown was announced in December. Everyone is wondering what will happen next, especially with the highest recorded cases since the pandemic began.

Speaking of press conferences, it’s time to wave goodbye to one of their main characters. Hugo de Jonge will step down as the Minister for Health and take up a new role as the Minister of Housing and Spatial Planning — because someone is going to have to tackle the Dutch housing crisis. 🤺

But finally, the Netherlands is back to having a cabinet! 🎉 Let’s hope for a more productive and less scandalous term.

What do you think of the new Dutch cabinet? Let us know in the comments!

Feature Image: Valerie Kuypers/Wikimedia Commons/CC 4.0

Crazy rich Dutchies: Dior and Armani coming to already overpriced Dam Square

Nicole Ogden 🇹🇭 🇺🇸
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Crazy rich Dutchies: Dior and Armani coming to already overpriced Dam Square

A fan of luxury shopping? Dior and Armani will open their stores in Amsterdam’s famous Dam Square this year.

Despite hard lockdown and all non-essential shops being closed (and in general suffering from fewer visitors over the past two years), the brands will be moving into former bank offices in the middle of the Dutch capital, reports Het Parool.

Considering the costs of retail space in Amsterdam, this is a pretty wild move. 💸

The city centre is, sadly, becoming more and more a place for the rich though, so maybe this development isn’t that crazy after all. The Dam Square also boasts, for example, de Bijenkorf — a high-end Dutch department store — and a seven-star hotel. Crazy Rich Dutchies? 🤪

Location, location, location

So why exactly did Dior and Armani decide to open new shops in one of the world’s most expensive cities in the middle of a pandemic?

Well, it’s all about appearance and not so much about the sale of products, marketing professor Kitty Koelemeijer from the Nyenrode Business University tells Het Parool.

“Dior and Armani mainly use their stores to enhance their image. Then you want to be in the most visible place in the city,” says Koelemeijer.

What do you think about Dior and Armani opening stores in Dam Square? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!

Feature Image: ifeelstock/Depositphotos

The Netherlands is behind with vaccinating children — here’s why

Cara Räker 🇩🇪
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The Netherlands is behind with vaccinating children — here’s why

Today, schools open their doors again after an early, lockdown-induced closure before the holidays. Yet, the Dutch government is behind with ordering age-appropriate coronavirus vaccines.

According to NRC, the RIVM (National Institute for Public Health and Environment) has only ordered 42,000 doses of age-appropriate vaccines — not nearly enough for the 1,3 million children in the Netherlands.

The RIVM says that it had been waiting for official approval to go through with vaccinating children by the Dutch Health Council.

Vaccinations to start late January

The Dutch approach vaccinating children differently from their European neighbours. Germany, France, and Spain have already ordered millions of age-appropriate vaccines in December 2021.

In the Netherlands, only about 1,000 out of 8,000 children with underlying health conditions have received their first jab.

For now, the plan is to send out a letter with an invitation to get vaccinated to parents with children aged five to eleven by January 18. The week after, on January 24, the vaccination campaign is supposed to start.

What do you think about the Netherlands vaccination rate for children? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!

Feature Image: Milkos/Depositphotos

Netherlands records highest number of daily coronavirus infections ever

Cara Räker 🇩🇪
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Netherlands records highest number of daily coronavirus infections ever

The RIVM (Dutch National Institute of Health and the Environment) has recorded 34,954 new coronavirus infections today. That’s 10,282 compared to the day before — and the highest daily figure ever.

However, RTL Nieuws reports a system failure of the RIVM yesterday, and as a result the increase of infections might be lower than stated.

Despite lockdown, cases are on the rise

According to the NOS, the average number of daily cases has still increased by a whopping 63% over the past week. The daily average is now at 21,487 positive coronavirus tests. 😳

This jump in infections is despite the ongoing lockdown enforced by the Dutch government. Luckily, the healthcare system is staying afloat with the number of hospital and ICU admissions further decreasing.

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

Feature Image: Voluroi/Depositphotos

After two years of the pandemic, Dutch inflation rates reach 6,4%

Cara Räker 🇩🇪
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0
After two years of the pandemic, Dutch inflation rates reach 6,4%

The Netherlands is currently a month into its third hard lockdown and slowly the economy catches on. 📈

Already in October, inflation rates reached a historic 20-year record in the Netherlands with prices going up 3,4% in 2021 compared to the year before. This was the highest recorded inflation rate since 2002.

In November 2021, inflation rates went up even further and reached 5,2% — a 40-year high.

And, you guessed it, December was no different. The NOS reports, that life in the Netherlands was 6,4% more expansive than last year.

High energy prices

The main reason for rising inflation rates is thought to be high energy prices, such as gas and electricity. Other possible factors are interrupted supply chains, lockdown measures, and reduction of workers due to the coronavirus.

However, Peter Hein van Mulligen, chief economist of the Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek (Central Bureau for Statistics), tells the NOS: “We do expect that this [the inflation] will decrease again, especially for the energy prices. Even though, there are many uncertainties, such as the geopolitical situation in Ukraine or omicron.”

This did not affect the Netherlands alone. Inflation rates throughout the eurozone have been on the rise and are now at their highest since 1997 with 5%.

Have you been impacted by these high inflation rates? Tell us in the comments!

Feature Image: AndreyPopov/Depositphotos

‘Pas op’ for poop! Your Albert Heijn cheese may have E.coli in it

Sarah O'Leary 🇮🇪
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‘Pas op’ for poop! Your Albert Heijn cheese may have E.coli in it

Bought some Albert Heijn cheese recently? Firstly, look at you go! You shop at Albert Heijn. Secondly, maybe don’t eat the cheese. ✋🧀

Why? Well, it turns out that it may contain traces of ‘poop bacteria’, otherwise known as E. coli. 💩

What cheese you got?

You only need to panic if you have a weakness for Albert Heijn’s Queso Iberico cheese, however. Allow us to pause while you run to your fridge and check.

If you realise — to your horror — that you do in fact have this cheese sitting in your fridge, then the next thing you need to do is check the best-before date. The magic numbers are January 5, 6, 7, 8 or 12. If you have any of these, then you need to drop that cheese.

READ MORE | The time Dutchies used cheese to defend themselves against the French

Specifically, you can drop it into your shopping bag and return it at the Albert Heijn where you will be refunded for your purchase.

Removed from shelves

Once E.coli was detected in the cheese, Albert Heijn was quick to remove the product from its shelves.

But for those who have already taken it home, there’s a concern that they may suffer the effects of ingesting the bacteria. Namely: nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea.

If you did in fact buy this cheese then we have a feeling that you may have already noticed something was up with your cheese before reading this. Beterschap!

Bought some Albert Heijn cheese recently? How are you feeling? Tell us in the comments below!

Feature Image: Takeaway/Wikimedia Commons/CC4.0

Groningen gas tap to extract nearly twice as much gas in spite of earthquakes

Christine Stein Hededam 🇩🇰
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Groningen gas tap to extract nearly twice as much gas in spite of earthquakes

The gas field in Groningen has been a source of debate and frustration in the Netherlands for years.

So, when the expected closure of the field was announced for mid-2022, environmentalists and Groningers took a collective sigh of relief.

READ MORE | Groningen shaken by one of its worst earthquakes to date

Nevertheless, the Groningen plant still has one last gas year (October 2021-September 2022) to run through — and turns out it won’t be a neat closing act.

Dutch government to extract almost twice as much gas

Despite the original plans to extract 3.9 billion cubic metres of gas this year, the Ministry of Economic Affairs has informed that they now expect 7.6 billion cubic metres to be extracted before September 2022, writes NU.nl. 🙃

The reason for this jump is two-fold:

Firstly, the opening of a nitrogen plant in Zuidbroek is delayed. The plant was supposed to supplement the supply of low-calorific gas for Dutch households but now the mining in Groningen must cover the shortage.

Secondly, the Netherlands is covering Germany’s bottom. Demand from Germany has risen sharply as the country has decreased their own extraction of gas — all the while energy-saving measures there have proved less efficient than expected.

According to NU.nl, the outgoing Minister of Economic Affairs, Stef Blok, has “expressed his great concerns” about the high demand from Germany.

What about the earthquakes?

In recent years, the severity and frequency of earthquakes in the region around the extraction plant have increased.

READ MORE | Groningen residents experience three earthquakes in one day

While the Ministry of Economic Affairs says “It was previously calculated by TNO that extracting 7.5 billion cubic meters of gas has little or no effect,” the engineering firm has been asked to perform a new seismic threat and risk analysis for Groningen.

Based on these new risk calculations, the Ministry of Economic Affairs will make the final decision about how much gas to extract in Groningen by April 1.

Opening is “incomprehensible”

However, the Groninger Soil Movement (GBB) which defends the interest of people affected by the gas extraction, says “The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate is playing with the safety of Groningers.”

The movement emphasises the dangerous and costly effects of gas extraction for residents and calls an increase in extraction “incomprehensible.”

“The increase in gas extraction means that the unsafe situation in Groningen will continue even longer, especially with a lagging reinforcement operation. In addition, it remains a guess when the gas tap will be turned off for good – people in Groningen live in uncertainty and are worried about their future,” the GBB writes in a statement.

What do you think of the potential increase in gas extraction? Tell us in the comments below!

Image: CreativeNature/Depositphotos

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