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The Netherlands introduces coronavirus packages for low-income neighbourhoods

Farah Al Mazouni 🇸🇾 🇺🇸
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The Netherlands introduces coronavirus packages for low-income neighbourhoods

The city of Amsterdam will be distributing 100,000 coronavirus packages during this week for low-income Amsterdammers and neighbourhoods with a low vaccination rate.

The municipality’s packages, which start to go out door-to-door as of Tuesday, will include four self-tests, two face masks, and basic coronavirus prevention measures, reports Het Parool.

While four self-tests might now sound like a lot of help, but given that not everyone can afford a test that averages at around €3 a piece, this move is certainly valuable during the holiday weeks. 🤗

“Research by the RIVM shows that more people test themselves sooner if they have self-tests in-house. However, the costs of this can be quite high, especially if you don’t already have it,” says Amsterdam’s Deputy Mayor, Simone Kukenheim.

A national approach

Amsterdam’s method in distributing free-self tests is not the first of its kind in the Netherlands. Similar nationwide approaches were taken by The Dutch Ministry of Health, where they distributed 2 million free self-tests through the Poverty Fund and the Food Bank starting the summer.

Last week alone, 60,000 additional self-tests were sent to the food banks in preparation for the holiday weeks and gatherings, according to the NOS.

The municipality of Leusden offers another successful example where residents in need can pick up self-tests for free, or receive them through food bank packages.

Welcomed initiatives

The outgoing Health Minister, Hugo de Jonge, has some opinions about free coronavirus tests for those in need, especially since it already exists for certain groups like children in secondary education and upper levels of primary school, or at food banks.

On one hand, De Jonge welcomes the local initiatives to make free self-tests available, since “everyone should be able to do a self-test,” — his words, not ours. 🙄

But on the other hand, De Jonge believes that “many people can also pay for them themselves. But they are not free for everyone, because there is no such thing as free.” 🤷‍♀️

What do you think of these localized initiatives in distributing free coronavirus self-tests to low-income Dutch neighbourhoods? Tell us in the comments!

Feature Image: evphoto48.yandex.ru/Depositphotos

Stay out, Dutchies — say Belgium, Germany, and Austria

Nicole Ogden 🇹🇭 🇺🇸
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Stay out, Dutchies — say Belgium, Germany, and Austria

With the Netherlands going into a hard lockdown, many Dutchies have been crossing the border into other countries where the coronavirus rules are more relaxed. However, Germany, Austria, and Belgium are not having it.

No hitting the Austrian slopes or shopping in Belgium for Dutch residents this winter! 🙅‍♀️ At least that’s what neighbouring countries hope for.

Dutch residents have been visiting Germany, Austria, and Belgium in high volumes due to the more relaxed rules in those neighbouring countries.

However, these countries are not happy with this and are urging Nederlanders to stay put.

The German administrator of the Borken district, Kai Zwiker, has called on the Dutch to “stay in their own country” and to not make unnecessary visits to neighbouring countries, reports Het Parool.

Belgium could go into a lockdown

Many Dutch residents have been flocking to places like Ghent and Antwerp (Belgium border towns) to do last-minute Christmas shopping since the closing of all non-essential stores in the Netherlands — You know that we still have Bol.com, right? 😓

In Belgium, people can still shop, dine out, and do a lot of things “like normal.” However, that may change due to the influx of new visitors, according to the governor of Antwerp, Cathy Berx.

Berx has urged Belgium’s northern neighbours not to visit the country. She believes that Belgium is at risk of another lockdown due to the high volume of visitors.

“Letting that happen is the shortest way to a closure of the catering industry here too. And nobody wants that,” Governer Berx told De Standaard.

Austria wants to impose mandatory quarantine on the Netherlands

Austria will enforce a new regulation that requires people entering their country from Great Britain, Norway, Denmark, and the Netherlands to do a mandatory 10-day quarantine. However, after five days, people may take a PCR test and if it’s negative, they can break out of quarantine.

This regulation will go into effect on December 24 and applies to everyone, even those who are fully vaccinated and have received a booster shot.

Austria is also considering barring people who aren’t fully vaccinated or have proof of recent recovery from entering the country.

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

Feature Image: Alpegor6/Depositphotos

Brace yourself: new entry rules for non-EU travellers coming to the Netherlands start today

Katrien Nivera 🇵🇭
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Brace yourself: new entry rules for non-EU travellers coming to the Netherlands start today

Starting today, travellers coming from outside the EU/Schengen area can only travel to the Netherlands under new rules. For one, they must always have a negative test certificate to enter the country.

These new rules will also apply to fully-vaccinated travellers and people with a recovery certificate to try and curb the spread of the omicron variant, reports the NOS.

READ MORE | Coronavirus in the Netherlands: all you need to know [UPDATED]

Back to the basics

Evidence from a PCR test may be up to 48 hours old to be considered valid for travel. Antigen tests can be a maximum of 24 hours old.

In addition to these rules, travellers coming from very high-risk countries will also have to quarantine for 10 days upon arrival in the Netherlands. This period can be shortened by receiving a negative PCR test result from the GGD (municipal health department) after five days of quarantine.

The rule also applies to visitors from the UK, who have recently been put in the very high-risk category by other European countries. So much for staying in the EU. 😬

Rule exceptions

Of course, there are exceptions to these new rules. Travellers from these very high-risk countries under the age of 12 will not be obligated to do a PCR or antigen test — something to relieve parents.

The new entry rules will also not apply to any countries belonging to the EU/Schengen area (European Union perks 🇪🇺) and the Caribbean parts of the Netherlands including Aruba, Curaçao, and Sint Maarten, and the three public bodies Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba.

Drastic measures

Other countries in the EU will be using the same measures but the Netherlands is the first to implement it after announcing its third hard lockdown since the start of the pandemic.

In the meantime, the Netherlands has announced its intentions to get everyone’s booster shots by mid-March.

What do you think about the new travel rules? Tell us your thoughts in the comments

Image: svitlanahulko85.gmail.com/Depositphotos

Weekly update: we’re in lockdown — but at least Dutch infections keep falling

Cara Räker 🇩🇪
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Weekly update: we’re in lockdown — but at least Dutch infections keep falling

The RIVM has reported its weekly coronavirus figures from December 14 to December 21. These figures showcase a notable decrease compared to last week’s number in light of the current hard lockdown.

Over the past week, the RIVM has reported 94,864 new infections in the Netherlands. A decrease compared to last week’s number of 116,477 infections.

However, the percentage of positive tests went up slightly, rising to 23.9% compared to 23.4% from the week before.

Deaths

The number of patients who have died from coronavirus-related complications has decreased. This week, 322 people passed away, compared to 445 people the previous week.

Hospitalisations

Both the number of admissions to the nursing ward and the ICU has gone down. The past week saw 1,335 new admissions to the nursing ward and 248 new patients in the ICU. The week before, there were 1,986 and 338 respectively.

Hard lockdown until January 14

A press conference last Saturday made it official — the Netherlands is going into a hard lockdown a mere five days before Christmas. Even though coronavirus infections have been dropping slightly for the past two weeks, the new Omicron variant is a looming threat on the horizon.

What exactly does the new lockdown entail?

  • All non-essential stores (cafés, restaurants, retail etc.) are closed
  • Essential stores (supermarket, pharmacies etc.) open until 8 PM
  • Education institutions of all levels (from primary school to university) closed until January 14
  • A maximum of two guests at home daily
  • Four visitors at home allowed on Christmas Day (December 24)
  • ‘Group’ size outdoors limited to two people (this does not apply for individuals from the same household)
  • All indoor sports facilities such as gyms are closed, excluding recreational swimming lessons
  • Children may train as part of their sports teams outside
  • Adults may exercise in pairs outside from 5 AM to 5 PM

Phew, quite the extensive list. On January 3, the cabinet will meet again to discuss if schools should reopen by January 10.

Booster shots for everyone by January 7

Dutch health minister De Jonge has promised to amp up vaccine turn-out considerably and offer a booster shot to everyone by January 7.

This is an improvement from the previous position of the Dutch government, which claimed that a third jab appointment could only be made available to everyone by mid-March. At the same time, De Jonge dropped the bomb that by February 1, international vaccination certificates will be invalid without a booster shot.

This would have made international travel impossible for those not able to make an appointment before February. At least now, there is the tiniest chance for a skiing holiday this winter.

Vulnerable children invited for first jab

Starting yesterday, children aged five to eleven with underlying health conditions are eligible to receive their first coronavirus vaccination at GGD locations.

While children in this age group don’t tend to get very sick from coronavirus, certain medical conditions such as asthma, heart diseases or down syndrome increase the risk of developing harsh symptoms.

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

Feature Image: Ale_Mi/depositphotos

Starting next summer, Prague will be just a night train away from Amsterdam

Nicole Ogden 🇹🇭 🇺🇸
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Starting next summer, Prague will be just a night train away from Amsterdam

This really is the year for overnight trains. After welcoming the first sleeper train from Zurich, the Netherlands is getting ready for yet another night train connecting multiple European capitals.

The night train to Prague is expected to run three times a week starting in the summer of 2022. The aim is to eventually have a daily connection between the Dutch and the Czech capital, the company behind the train announced on Twitter.

The tickets will go on sale starting in spring 2022. One way from Amsterdam to Prague (or vice versa) will come at about €65 euros on average, reports AD. More details on the exact ticket prices and seating will be released in the coming months. 🚄

European gems in one fell swoop

The train connects some of Europe’s highly popular destinations, so if Prague is not on the top of your bucket list, you can also head to Brussels, Berlin, or Dresden instead.

Run by train enthusiasts

The people behind the madness are the Dutch-Belgian initiative European Sleeper and the Czech RegioJet. Headquartered in Utrecht, the former is a young, rail company filled with train enthusiasts whose endeavours certainly don’t end with Prague! 🚆

The company plans to introduce another night train in 2023 — this time to Warsaw, Poland. 😍 After that they intend to get a new night train going from the Netherlands and Belgium to major European cities every single year.

READ MORE | Night trains to Venice, Prague, Milan, Verona (and more!) coming to the Netherlands

Europen Sleeper and RegioJet also wanted to extend the Prague night train to Ghent, Brugges, and Ostend. Unfortunately, the operating costs in Belgium are currently too high to execute this. But one never knows — the companies do want to revisit the idea in the future.

Demand for efficient trains and sustainable travel

So far, planes are still the standard for travel across Europe. ✈️ But we all know that they’re not the most sustainable option, so the demand for more trains that are fast and efficient is really not a surprise.

Traveling by train can reduce our carbon footprint — which is always a good thing!

READ MORE | 11 ways to live waste-free in the Netherlands

The European Commission also called for more and faster trains with better connections. They wanted cheaper and more accessible tickets to be available for travelers, so that train travel can overtake plane trips — at least when it comes to distances of up to 500 kilometres.

What do you think about the night train from Amsterdam to Prague? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!

Feature Image: TTstudio/Depositphotos

Hold on tight for Rotterdam Rooftop Walk: coming in 2022

Farah Al Mazouni 🇸🇾 🇺🇸
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Hold on tight for Rotterdam Rooftop Walk: coming in 2022

Between May 26 to June 24, during Rotterdam’s annual Architecture Month, visitors will get a chance to experience the city’s roofscape and cityscape through air bridges connecting rooftops!

If you’re a fan of city views, then you’re in luck as next year’s edition of Rotterdam Rooftop Days will bring a unique experience: an air route connecting different rooftops within the city centre and iconic buildings on the Coolsingel.

The event will feature some of Rotterdam’s 18 km of roofscape, with low admission prices for adults and free admission for children!

Experience the latest innovations

During the month-long event, not only you’ll walk between clouds, but you’ll also take a trip to the future.

The walk will highlight the latest and greatest rooftop innovations from companies and NGOs and how they fit in the city’s future. From green roofs technology, energy transition, water retention, and utilising rooftops as public spaces — you name it.

A swirl of art and technology

In a perfect blend between arts and sciences, the city of Rotterdam along with the event’s contributors hope to manifest their vision for the city’s rooftops, especially the unused spaces, as they aim to take advantage of their roofscape as fully and efficiently as possible.

concept-picture-of-people-walking-on-rooftop-bridges-Rotterdam
Image: Rotterdampartners/Supplied

In the eyes of the organizers, this programme will address and work towards a resolution for some of the challenges that await urban areas like Rotterdam in the future.

For example, shielding inhabitants from the effects of climate change and creating safe and vibrant public spaces in ever-crowding areas.

Will you be attending Rotterdam Rooftop Walk in 2022? Let us know in the comments!

Feature Image: Rotterdampartners/Supplied

Rotterdam’s iconic ice skating rink remains open despite lockdown

Katrien Nivera 🇵🇭
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Rotterdam’s iconic ice skating rink remains open despite lockdown

Dutchies are hit hard with another lockdown this winter — but not all is lost. In addition to walking and cycling, Rotterdam’s famous ice skating rink will stay open for the public to use.

Initially, the ice rink had to close like most sporting locations. But thanks to agreements with Rotterdam’s municipality, it is now considered an “outdoor sports location,” reports the AD. ⛸

Speedy action

As soon as the government announced lockdown measures, the ice skating rink organisers went into discussion with the municipality about whether or not the rink could continue operation.

The final decision comes as a relief to many skating fanatics and anyone looking to exercise and clear their head. ❄️

A great responsibility

However, this doesn’t go without strict measures in place — like most places, the rink closes at 5 PM, and the 400-metre track had to be readjusted to ensure maximum ventilation.

Nearly 35,000 visitors have already come to skate ever since the ice rink reopened for the winter earlier in November. But despite high demand, the number of visitors per hour is now limited to about 100 to 150.

Groups of more than two skaters are not allowed and catering on the ice must remain closed.

The ice skating rink director, Tijs Nederlof, indicated that the number of visitors might change in the next few weeks depending on the rink’s capacity. Still, they are determined to keep the municipality’s trust.

Have you gone to an ice skating rink this winter? Tell us your experiences in the comments!

Image: SBRotterdam/Wikimedia Commons/CC4.0

‘Prikspijt’ meaning ‘vaccination regret’ voted Dutch Word of the Year

Cara Räker 🇩🇪
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‘Prikspijt’ meaning ‘vaccination regret’ voted Dutch Word of the Year

It’s official — the Dutch word of 2021 is…🥁 drum roll, please 🥁… prikspijt!

The word can be translated as ‘vaccination regret’ or ‘pricker’s remorse’. With an 82.2% majority of a total 49,000 votes, prikspijt clearly resonates with a lot of Dutchies.

But, wait a minute. The NOS reports that public calls on Twitter by the anti-vax community to vote for prikspijt might have something to do with this overwhelming majority. Are we talking rigged elections? 🧐

Electoral fraud or honest popularity vote?

So, if one word of the fifteen nominees for this year is singled out by individuals sceptical of the coronavirus vaccine and promoted on Twitter, is it still an honest representation of the Dutch word of 2021?

According to Ton den Boom, Editor-in-Chief of publishing house Van Dale, it is. “It’s a sign of the times: even the word of the year is polarising,” Den Boom states in a Volkskrant interview, which he reposts on Twitter.

He also tells the NOS, that the popularity of prikspijt is an important representation of those who do not wish to be vaccinated. As long as there were no ‘bots’ faking user votes, Ton den Boom sees no reason to call for re-election.

The losers

Well, we think it’s a pity. Aside from prikspijt there were some really strong competitors who could’ve made the race — and probably would have resonated with more people.

Just look at these bad boys:

  • Grotsyndroom: cave syndrom
  • Intimiteitsvaccuüm: intimacy vaccum
  • Woonprotest: housing protest

Of course, since the onset of the pandemic, many of the words were coronavirus inspired. Last year’s winner, for instance, was anderhalvemetersamenleving, which translates to 1.5-meter-society.

Isn’t that something both anti-vaxxers and pro-vaxxers could relate to? No polarisation necessary.

What do you think of the Dutch word 2021? Tell us in the comments!

Feature Image: Jadmij/depositphotos

Fleeing the hard lockdown: Dutchies outsource Christmas shopping to Belgium

Cara Räker 🇩🇪
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Fleeing the hard lockdown: Dutchies outsource Christmas shopping to Belgium

No, no, no instead of ho, ho, ho. ❌🎅🏻 Since the weekend it’s official — the Netherlands is going into a hard lockdown a mere five days before Christmas. The solution for many Dutchies? Flocking to cities in Belgium for some last-minute Christmas shopping. 

The Belgium border towns Antwerp and Gent are especially attractive for desperate Dutchies in need of some wrapping paper, reports NU.nl. 

Why Belgium?

We’ve all been there — it’s five days before Christmas and at least half of all the presents are still missing. Online shopping won’t cut it, because nothing would arrive in time. 

Well, for Dutchies this year, this poses a real problem. All non-essential stores are closed until at least January 14. Sure, there may still be some supermarket pepernoten on offer but that’s about it. 

Pssst: But you know where there isn’t a hard lockdown and Christmas shopping is still possible? Belgium 👀!

Ho, ho, ho, off to Belgium we go

Naturally, many Dutchies take the opportunity to swarm Belgium shopping streets en masse. The NOS has talked to Belgians and Dutchies alike, asking their opinion on the sudden influx of Dutch tourists in Antwerp. Here are some of the highlights:

“Yeah, you know how it is. When the Netherlands is closed, the Dutch go to Belgium where things are open… or to Germany. And when everything is closed in Belgium and the Netherlands is open, then the Belgians come to us,” one interviewee says. 

“Sometimes when you need something, you just have to break the rules.”

NOS Interviewee

To the question of how Belgium can stay so lively while the Netherlands had to close everything down, one interviewee says: “I think it’s because they did everything sooner and faster here (in Belgium). In the Netherlands, they do everything last-minute just when they realise that things are going wrong.” 

Belgians are prepared

Are we really that surprised? The Belgians sure aren’t. “We have also seen it last year and are prepared for it,” tells Paul Van Miert, mayor of Turnhout, NU.nl. “Whether you’re coming from Mol, Herentals, or Tilburg doesn’t really make a difference. If it gets busy here, it’s on us to keep everything under control.”

While there are also concerns about the new Omicron variant and a possible spike of infections in Belgium, the Dutchies remain welcome for now. Belgian authorities have announced that they will deploy additional personnel to ensure that everyone is keeping a 1.5-metre distance and keeping that mondkapje on. 

What do you think of the Dutchies flocking to Belgium for their last-minute Christmas shopping? Let us know in the comments!

Feature Image: Ale_Mi/depositphotos

Dutch nuclear experts warn against radioactive ‘anti-5G’ necklaces

Caitlin Elston-Weidinger 🇩🇪🇺🇸
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Dutch nuclear experts warn against radioactive ‘anti-5G’ necklaces

The Dutch Authority for Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection (ANVS) has issued a product alert on ‘quantum pendants’ and other similar products — quantum what??🔎

Nearing the top of this week’s bizarre coronavirus news: “negative ion” jewellery increasingly sported by “anti-5Gers” to “protect” themselves from radio frequencies — emitted by phone masts — have been found to continuously emit ionising radiation. 🙃

And it’s not only necklaces. “Anti-5G” bracelets, necklaces and sleeping masks have been found to emit low levels of radiation. Many of these products are marketed similarly to the popular pseudo-scientific power balance bands, which make bold and unfounded health claims. 

What are the Dutch experts worried about? 

The ANVS worries that “exposure to ionising radiation can cause adverse health effects,” such as damaging tissue and DNA. 🧬

While the ANVS has measured only low levels of radiation in these products, they warn that “someone who wears a product of this kind for a prolonged period (a year, 24 hours a day) could expose themselves to a level of radiation that exceeds the stringent limit for skin exposure that applies in the Netherlands.” 

Product alert 

The total number of these supposedly “anti-5G” products that have been sold in the Netherlands is unknown at the moment.

However, the six known suppliers must inform the ANVS within two weeks of the size of their stock and how much of it has been sold. In addition, all companies selling these products must stop immediately, the NOS reports. 

The problem is, foreign traders cannot be banned. So the ANVS is urging those who have purchased a product through a foreign webshop or supplier to provide information so that they can share it with the authorities. The contact form can be found on their site.

The age of conspiracy 

As we approach the new year and another yet hard lockdown, conspiracy theories and their whacky antidotes continue to plague us. 

The World Health Organization has declared that 5G is safe and continues to assure the people that there is nothing fundamentally different about the radio signals produced by 5G compared with 3G and 4G.

Nevertheless, concerns and conspiracies continue to cause an air of suspicion and even arson attacks against telecommunications masts around the world. 

Same old snake oil salesmen

Unfortunately, radioactive jewellery is just the tip of the iceberg. Some companies have been pushing snake oil — yes, snake oil — in an attempt to exploit the public’s fear.

Ironically, the ANVS has found that these particular products may cause the exact damage that the vaccine-hesitant fear from mRNA. 

Has the dutch government taken enough action to curb floods of conspiracy in the Netherlands?

Feature Image: Ivan Radic/Wikimedia Commons

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