Home Blog Page 468

‘Horror winter’ is coming to the Netherlands

Farah Al Mazouni 🇸🇾 🇺🇸
-
5
‘Horror winter’ is coming to the Netherlands

January weather predictions are looming with at least 10 degrees below average temperature — accompanied by prolonged periods of strong cold.

The predictions are so extreme that meteorologists apply the term ‘horror winter’ for long-term weather in Europe this year, according to Trouw. As if the idea of winter in Europe (or a Dutch winter) wasn’t cold enough.

Two weather agencies, Germany’s Kachelmannwetter and the Dutch Weer.nl, both see a colder winter in our future. 🔮 How bad you say? Think the Big Freeze of 63. “Climate change will not make it a repeat of the extreme winter of 1963. But the run-up is very similar.” Says Reinout van den Born, Weer.nl.

If we don’t like this, we can take it up with the polar vortex, which appears to be the main mover behind these long-term weather predictions. Similar to last February, when the vortex brought cold polar air to the southern regions, Van den Born sees that it’s a scenario to be repeated this year. 🐧

Dutch weather works in mysterious ways

Not every meteorologist seem to agree with this gloomy projection, however — especially when it comes to the weather in the Netherlands.

Peter Siegmund from Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI) is definitely not buying these predictions as he explains that Dutch weather can only be predicted for the short term, two weeks in advance at most. Oh, we hear ye! 👀

“Our weather is now determined by storms and depressions. They arise chaotically. You know they come and go, but not where or when.” Says the KNMI’s meteorologist.

Although contradicting, Van den Born says he understands the KNMI’s scepticism citing it to “their models which are based on today’s weather and do not take these factors into account.”

Follow DutchReview on Facebook and Instagram for the latest on Dutch weather and more!

Feature Image: Webdexter Appeldoorn/Pexels

Jammer! Annual New Year’s dive in Scheveningen cancelled…again

Cara Räker 🇩🇪
-
0
Jammer! Annual New Year’s dive in Scheveningen cancelled…again

What do Dutchies do on January 1 of the New Year? 🏊 Right! They run off into the freezing cold sea for the annual Nieuwjaarsduik. Brrr! 🥶 Unfortunately, the tradition is cancelled for the second year in a row due to coronavirus, reports Omroep West.  

The show must go on!

Don’t worry! There is a chance for you to get a taste of the experience after all. Last year, the organizers sent out over 25,000 cans (blikken) filled with seawater. The initiative proved so popular that this year, double the amount will be available. 

Is there a better hangover cure than dumping a can of refreshing seawater over your head? We don’t think so. 

A year-long tradition

The Dutch have been risking hypothermia to celebrate the New Year since the 60s. The beach of Scheveningen is especially popular with brave Dutchies — about 10,000 dive-enthusiasts flog to the sea each year to participate in the Nieuwjaarsduik. Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it, we guess? 😬 

Since the 70s, the event has been sponsored by the popular soup brand Unox. Each returning diver is rewarded with a swim cap and steaming pea soup upon return. Doesn’t sound so bad after all, does it?

What do you think of this crazy Dutch tradition? Tell us in the comments below! 

Feature Image: ankorlight/depositphotos

Weekly update: Dutch coronavirus infections are finally going down again

Nicole Ogden 🇹🇭 🇺🇸
-
0
Weekly update: Dutch coronavirus infections are finally going down again

The RIVM has released its weekly coronavirus figures from November 30 to December 7. The number of hospitalisations has decreased, while the number of deaths went down slightly.

The number of hospitalisations and ICU admissions have decreased while the number of deaths also decreased.

Over the past week, the RIVM has reported 147,982 new infections in the Netherlands. A slight increase compared to last week’s report of 155,152 infections.

The percentage of positive tests also decreased slightly, dropping to 21.3% compared to 21.4% from the week before.

Deaths

The number of patients who have died from coronavirus-related complications has decreased compared to the past week. This week, 356 people passed away, compared to 367 people the previous week.

Hospitalisations

Both the number of admissions to the nursing ward and the ICU has gone down. The past week saw 1,655 new admissions to the nursing ward and 343 new patients in the ICU. The week before, there were 1,770 and 367 respectively.

Dutch government to hold off on 2G measures (for now)

After the November announcements of a three-week lockdown and the introduction of new coronavirus measures, the Dutch cabinet has decided to hold off on implementing 2G measures for the time being.

The 2G policy includes measures that restrict access to events and other aspects of public life for people who aren’t vaccinated, even when they can present a negative PCR test.

Only those who have been fully vaccinated or have recovered from coronavirus can receive a QR code. However, for those who have recovered from coronavirus, the QR-code is now valid for 365 days (only in the Netherlands, however.)

PCR test no longer necessary for coronavirus symptoms, says Dutch Health Ministry

The Dutch Health Ministry (RIVM) has announced that if you have light symptoms such as a sore throat, running nose, and/or cough that a self-test is enough, i.e. you are no longer required to go get an official PCR test.

However, if your self-test shows a positive result, then you still have to make an appointment to get tested at a GGD location.

This advice doesn’t apply, though, if you have been in direct contact with someone who tested positive or if you are a high-risk individual.

Coronatest phishing scam and people lying about their age to get a booster shot

The Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) warned the public about a phishing scam in the Netherlands asking people to make test appointments that give up their banking information.

The Netherlands is currently giving out booster shots for those born in 1942 or earlier and for people with down-syndrome. However, some people are lying about their age to get their booster shots earlier.

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

Feature Image: IgorVetushko/Depositphotos

One year of free public transport for the children of Rotterdam

Caitlin Elston-Weidinger 🇩🇪🇺🇸
-
1
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 🇵🇭
-
0
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 🇸🇾 🇺🇸
-
0
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 🇩🇪
-
0
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 🇸🇾 🇺🇸
-
0
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 🇩🇪🇺🇸
-
0
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 🇮🇪
-
0
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

1...467468469...760Page 468 of 760