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Weekly update: Dutch infections nearly halved — but hospitalisations double

Christine Stein Hededam 🇩🇰
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Weekly update: Dutch infections nearly halved — but hospitalisations double

The RIVM has released its weekly coronavirus figures from July 20 to July 27. The number of infections has decreased dramatically compared to the previous week.

Over the past week, the RIVM reported 37,343 new infections in the Netherlands. This is a significant decrease compared to the previous week’s number of 69,731 new infections. The percentage of positive tests decreased to 13,6% compared to 14.1% the week before.

Deaths

The number of patients who have died from COVID-19-related complications has gone up. This week, 21 people passed away, compared to 14 people the previous week.

Hospitalisations

Hospitalisations, as well as the number of admissions to the ICU, have also increased. The past week saw 423 new admissions to the nursing ward and 115 new patients in the ICU. The week before, there were 205 and 31, respectively. This marks a doubling of the number of patients admitted to hospital.

New travel advice

From today onwards, all EU countries are considered yellow or green, rather than orange, by the Dutch government. The government’s decision to reclassify previous red countries, such as Spain, means that the requirement for “necessary” travel is gone and travelling to the Netherlands will be easier.

However, Dutch travel advice differs from that of the European Centre of Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). If you are planning on travelling from the Netherlands, always check the travel restriction from your destination country.

The change to the colour coding system will be in effect until August 8 whereafter the rules for returning to the Netherlands will tighten.

More than 50% of adults in the Netherlands are fully vaccinated

The Dutch vaccination schedule is continuing at full speed with 56,3% of adults being fully vaxxed. In addition, 83% have already had their first jab and are in line for their second.

Vaccine fraud in the Netherlands

While the number of vaccinated adults is increasing, GGDs have also discovered a new kind of vaccine fraud that allows people to leave the site with proof of vaccination — without having received their jab.

After discovering the slip, vaccination sites have implemented new measures to avoid fraud.

AstraZeneca vaccines are going in the bin

Across the country, Dutch doctors are forced to throw away tens of thousands of AstraZeneca vaccines. After the vaccine was phased out of the Netherlands’ vaccination scheme, unused doses have been sitting in the fridge at your local GPs.

Now, Dutch doctors are frustrated in the face of what they see as an enormous waste and the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport have called it “a real shame.” The doses cannot be delivered to other countries or otherwise utilised.

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

Feature Image: Official US Navy Page/Wikimedia Commons/CC2.0

Colonies of Benevolence in the Netherlands added as a World Heritage Site (finally!)

Jen Lorimer 🇿🇼
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Colonies of Benevolence in the Netherlands added as a World Heritage Site (finally!)

This transnational heritage site includes the 200-year-old settlements in Frederiksoord, Wilhelminaoord, and Veenhuizen in Drenthe, and the Belgian colony in Wortel.

The NOS reports that the Colonies of Benevolence have made it onto the UNESCO World Heritage list after a failed attempt in 2018. They were originally set up in 1818 as a project to combat poverty among the population.

The colonies were established during the period of “The United Kingdom of the Netherlands” when Belgium was still part of the country. As a result, they are a transnational cultural heritage site — the first in the country.

Beginning of the Dutch welfare state

According to Cees Bijl, a deputy from Drenthe, “The colonies were a social experiment in poverty alleviation.”

Poverty-stricken families, beggars, and homeless people from the cities could go and work in one of the Colonies. Here, they were given their own homes and a section of land so that they could learn to support themselves. Additionally, their children were forced to go to school.

This project was a unique initiative in Europe and seen as the beginning of the Dutch welfare state, as the government tried to improve life for the poorest on a large scale.

However, the colonies weren’t very successful. The intention was to make the project profitable but this fell flat on its face — wat jammer!

Up there with the Amsterdam canals

The Colonies of Benevolence are the 11th Dutch site on the World Heritage List — this flat little country was interesting back in the day!

READ MORE | 10 World Heritage Sites in the Netherlands: the best monuments of Holland

If you’re still wondering what all the fuss is about, take note that the UNESCO list also includes treasures such as the canal belt of Amsterdam, and the colourful historic city centre of Curacao — so this is the real deal.

What will this listing mean for the colonies?

While being labelled as a World Heritage Site is unlikely to bring in more money, the honorary title is expected to attract more tourists. In preparation, museum texts in the colonies have already been translated into English, among other things.

Limes too? (No, not the fruit)

A second Dutch nomination may be listed on Wednesday — the Netherlands is on fire! The Dutch-German entry of the Limes, the former northern border of the Roman Empire that ran through these countries is expected to be approved as well.

What are your thoughts on this new addition to the World Heritage list? Will you be visiting the Colonies of Benevolence? Tell us in the comments below!

Feature Image: Robert EA Harvey/Wikimedia Commons/CC4.0


The Netherlands changes travel advice as of today: here’s what to expect

Chloe Lovatt 🇬🇧
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The Netherlands changes travel advice as of today: here’s what to expect

While the Netherlands is changing their travel advice and relaxing travel restrictions, countries such as Germany and the US are tightening them.

Yesterday, the Dutch cabinet announced that it would change the colour coding system which indicates the coronavirus risk in each country. On August 8, new rules will apply for returning to the Netherlands, reports the NOS.

Travel advice from the Dutch government

From today, all EU countries will be categorised as yellow or green risk, according to the Dutch government. A yellow colour code means that travel is allowed but to be aware of risks. Countries like Spain and Portugal, which are red on the European map, will become yellow according to Dutch travel advice.

A country will only be labelled orange if there is an outbreak of a new, dangerous coronavirus variant.

This means that from now on, travel advice is just that — advice — as changing the risk level from orange to yellow means that there are no countries where you can “only travel when necessary.”

This advice differs from that of the European Centre of Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), where the Netherlands is still categorised as dark red (high risk).

What will change in August?

As some rules are relaxed, there are some tighter restrictions on the horizon. For now, those returning to the Netherlands from countries that are labelled orange have to provide a coronavirus certificate. From August 8, this will also apply to those returning from yellow countries.

READ MORE | Where can I holiday? Current travel advice from the Netherlands

Anyone who has not been fully vaccinated will have to complete a PCR test or antigen test before arriving in the Netherlands. The government also advises that travellers complete two PCR tests after returning to the country: on days two and five of your return. This last piece of advice is not mandatory.

Germany labels us high-risk

While the Netherlands is opening up travel possibilities, other countries have their own say on the matter. As of today, Germany categorises the Netherlands as a high-risk country.

This means that travellers arriving in Germany from the Netherlands will have to quarantine for ten days. The exceptions to this are if you have been fully vaccinated, if you have recovered from coronavirus, or if you have driven through a high-risk country without stopping.

US won’t relax travel restrictions

Looking further afield, other countries are also remaining cautious. The US has chosen not to relax any current restrictions as it’s concerned about the spread of the Delta variant.

As it stands, travellers from the EU, the UK, Brazil, China, Iran, and South Africa aren’t able to cross US borders, reports RTL Nieuws. There are some exceptions for US citizens returning to the country.

What do you think about the change in travel advice? Is the Netherlands out of sync with other countries? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

Feature Image: toxawww/Depositphotos

Dutch universities insist on on-campus teaching without distancing

Christine Stein Hededam 🇩🇰
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Dutch universities insist on on-campus teaching without distancing

The Dutch government has asked universities in the Netherlands to prepare two scenarios for the opening of the new academic year: one where all education takes place with 1,5 metres distancing, and one without.

However, the chairman for the Association of Universities (VSNU) says that “working out two side-by-side scenarios is too much of a burden on staff.” Most Dutch universities won’t comply with the government request, reports the NOS.

Unfair request

Some universities, such as the Eindhoven University of Technology, are acting on the government’s appeal for multiple scenarios. Eindhoven has created not one, not two, but three plans for welcoming students into a new but uncertain academic year. Including one that prepares for a full lockdown.

Most Dutch universities, however, see the government request as too much for educators. After a year of adaptation, uncertainty, online teaching, the government can’t expect the staff to develop multiple schedules.

A spokesperson for Tilburg University simply says that “what the government asked is not feasible.”

Standing their ground

Altogether, the message from universities in the Netherlands is clear: there’s only one option for the new academic year and that’s on-campus teaching — without 1,5 metres distancing.

Dutch universities don’t see the value in socially distanced education. Even the late rise in infections in the Netherlands doesn’t change their wish for a full reopening after the summer.

Would consider testing for access, if necessary

Although they’d rather not introduce access tests, the chairman for the VSNU says that they also recognise the “new reality” we’re living in right now. So, if the government insists on students being tested, he says that “we won’t be happy, but we will cooperate.”

Testing for access poses several challenges for the universities.

Firstly, it would be a logistical nightmare as many Dutch universities have numerous buildings, with several entrances to each. Many also have buildings scattered throughout the city. Verifying students’ CoronaCheck app at each entrance (if that is how testing for access would be implemented), would require a lot of staff.

Secondly, some universities are opposed to testing for access from an ethical point of view. A spokesperson from the University of Twente says that they’d comply with voluntary testing but can’t force students or staff to get tested. Together with the VSNU, they advise the government not to introduce mandatory testing.

The chairman for VSNU agrees that mandatory testing isn’t an option and says that Dutch universities will be “obliged to offer a fully-fledged alternative” if people don’t wish to be tested.

As lectures are unlikely to be given twice for alternatives to on-campus teaching (due to the already heavy workload carried by lecturers) it’s still uncertain what an alternative would look like.

What do you think of the standpoint taken by Dutch universities? Tell us in the comments below!

Feature Image: kasto/Depositphotos

Dog “arrested” by Dutch police after causing traffic accident

Jana Vondráčková 🇨🇿
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Dog “arrested” by Dutch police after causing traffic accident

Police officers in Zeist, a town near Utrecht, had to transport a highly unusual suspect yesterday. 

The detainee — a dog — caused a traffic accident at the Oranjehof in Zeist. “This crook had crossed the road without looking,” the police wrote on their social media. 

In order to not run over the dog, a car had to swerve and then crashed as a result. There were no injuries, only minor damage to the car, reports AD.

Missing owner

The dog’s owner was nowhere to be found, so the police did the one sensible thing that any person who finds a cute (and unapologetic) abandoned dog would do — they put him in the back seat. 

The four-legged culprit was brought to the vet, who is now trying to figure out who his owner is.

“After a good conversation, both officers got a lick from the crook,” wrote the police on their social media.

How do you feel about this incident? Let us know in the comments below!

Feature Image: Politie Zeist/Instagram

BREAKING: Dutch cabinet changes holiday rules from tomorrow

Chloe Lovatt 🇬🇧
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BREAKING: Dutch cabinet changes holiday rules from tomorrow

It’s good news for those thinking of jetting off to Spain. The Dutch government announced that no more EU countries are categorised as code red — the highest level of risk.

As of tomorrow, all EU countries will be labelled yellow, orange, or green which means it will be easier to travel to them from the Netherlands. This change will bring the Dutch colour codes in line with the majority of other EU countries.

According to the NOS, a country can be categorised as orange even if there’s an outbreak of a new variant of coronavirus.

Testing, testing

From now on, there will also be stricter rules for those reentering the country. Anyone over the age of 12 returning from a yellow country has to provide a Coronavirus Certificate — either via the CoronaCheck App or on paper.

READ MORE | Most of Netherlands now DARK-red on EU COVID-19 map: holidays and trips home at risk

You must prove that you are fully vaccinated, or have completed a PCR test in the country you’re returning from. Anyone entering the country by plane, train, boat, or bus will have this checked upon entry into the Netherlands.

If you’ve been fully vaccinated, it is advised that you still do a PCR test. However, this is not mandatory.

No more overnight festivals

The Dutch cabinet also announced that no more multi-day festivals will take place until September 1. Many of the Netherlands’ most popular festivals, such as Lowlands or Mysteryland, had already been put on hold until mid-August.

READ MORE | Where can I holiday? Current travel advice from the Netherlands

The festival industry is not happy, to say the least. They were hoping for a more timely warning, but it looks like we might go another year without mainstage performances.

How do you feel about this updated travel advice? Will it change your travel plans over the summer? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Feature Image: efffka/Depositphotos

Dutch cyclist thought she had won Olympic gold — instead, she came in second

Jana Vondráčková 🇨🇿
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Dutch cyclist thought she had won Olympic gold — instead, she came in second

As Annemiek van Vleuten crossed the finish line in the road race at the Tokyo Olympic Games on Sunday, she raised her arms in ecstasy thinking she had won gold for the Netherlands — but she hadn’t.

Instead, she finished second after the, until yesterday relatively unknown, Austrian cyclist Anna Keisenhofer. 

Confusing finish

After overtaking competitors from Poland and Israel, the Dutch team thought Annemiek was on her way to win the race. But due to poor communication, no one from the team realised that Kaisenhofer was already way ahead of everyone else.

“I thought I had won. I felt really stupid at first. But then the other girls wondered too…” said the silver medallist. 

Van Vleuten’s teammates were just as surprised by the Austrian’s triumph. Marianne Vos, who finished fifth in the race, told the NOS that “we underestimated Keisenhofer’s strength.”

Proud of the medal

Despite the slight disappointment, Van Vleuten was ultimately proud to walk away with a silver medal. 

“My goal was to be at my best level here, and I think I nailed that. It’s not the result we were hoping for, but for me personally, I think I did a really good race,” she told CNN. 

READ MORE | Dutch Olympic gymnastics team in quarantine as member tests positive

The Dutch cyclist was on her way to becoming the Olympic champion five years ago in Rio de Janeiro. However, she fell 10 kilometres before the finish and suffered serious injuries. 

Are you happy to hear about the Dutch cyclist’s success? Let us know in the comments below!

Feature Image: Annemiek van Vleuten at the Harrogate UCI World Championships in 2019. Adam Bowie/Flickr/CC2.0

What’s up with Dutch weather? Code yellow rain and thunderstorms today

Christine Stein Hededam 🇩🇰
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What’s up with Dutch weather? Code yellow rain and thunderstorms today

Consider leaving your house ten minutes early today because the KNMI (Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute) has issued a code yellow weather warning for the entire country.

That means that heavy rainfall and thunder could influence traffic and your daily schedule, reports NU.nl.

“A beautiful shelf cloud just passed over Wageningen!#onweer“

Dutch summer weather keeps us on our toes

Today, those living inland woke up to a sunny morning, while the coastal provinces of the Netherlands have already seen a fair share of rain. During the afternoon, the rain will sweep over the entire country.

Thunderstorms will accompany the heavy showers and the code yellow from yesterday’s rainfall is therefore staying in place. In some places, hail is also expected.

While you definitely want to keep your umbrella to hand, the sun hasn’t abandoned the Netherlands completely. Between showers, you can expect some yummy sunrays that’ll lift the temperature to 20-24 degrees.

Over the next few days, the Dutch weather will continue performing its signature move: constant change.

What’s the weather like where you are? Tell us in the comments below!

Image: sashk0/Depositphotos

Dutch teen astronaut tells Jeff Bezos on space flight that he’s never shopped on Amazon

Chloe Lovatt 🇬🇧
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Dutch teen astronaut tells Jeff Bezos on space flight that he’s never shopped on Amazon

Trust Dutchies to be controversial about corporations. Oliver Daemen, the Dutch 18-year-old that went into space with Jeff Bezos, admitted to the Amazon CEO that he has never purchased anything from the billion-dollar company.

I bet that was an awkward ten minutes — which was the total duration of the flight. Daemen nonchalantly said to Reuters that “I told Jeff, like, I’ve actually never bought something from Amazon. And he was like, ‘oh, wow, it’s a long time ago I heard someone say that’.” Talk about Dutch directness! 😅

Youngest person in space

The 18-year-old physics student found out he would be the fourth passenger on the Blue Origin flight a week before take-off. With Daemen on board, the launch had both the youngest and the oldest person to ever go into space. The latter was 82-year old American, Wally Funk.

Daemon and his father had entered an auction for the place on the spacecraft. He found out he would be the fourth and final passenger after the top bidder dropped out last minute. The highest bid was $28 million, which is nowhere near what the Dutch teen paid.

What do you think about the Dutch teen’s honesty with Bezos? Rude, funny, heroic? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

Feature Image: 3DSculptor/Depositphots

The Efteling: whimsical Dutchness

DutchReview Crew
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The Efteling: whimsical Dutchness

Being one of the oldest theme parks in the world, the Efteling represents one field for which the Dutch laid standards. The park continues to be a national treasure for the Dutch to this day.

The Efteling presents Dutch eccentricity in an imaginative and whimsical manner. It’s a place one definitely shouldn’t miss — especially in the summer.

History of the Efteling

The Efteling actually started out as a nature park, which eventually started displaying various well-known fairy tales from the Brothers Grimm, Charles Perrault, and Hans Christian Andersen based on the designs of famed Dutch illustrator Anton Pieck.

With these new displays, the Efteling rebranded and opened its doors as Het Sprookjesbos (The Fairy Tale Forest) in 1952 — three years before Walt Disney’s Disneyland opened in California. While it is a known fact that Walt Disney visited the much older Tivoli in Denmark for inspiration, some believe that he might have also visited the Efteling.

photo-of-het-sprookjesboek-sign-in-efteling
Fairytale forest (Sprookjesbos) in Eftling today. Image: Hullie/Wikimedia Commons/Public domain

Today the fairy tale forest serves as the most nostalgic and accessible of the park’s areas. The park has been expanding ever since and continues to add more daring rides.

The ‘Dutchness’ of the Efteling

The Efteling is a world devoted to the wondrous and fantastical. However, it also presents some very Dutch things in a whimsical light. The most famous are the depictions of Holle Bolle Gijs, a figure from a Dutch nursery rhyme who is known for his ability to consume things without limit. Naturally, he beckons visitors to dispose of paper and other litter in his receiving mouth.

photo-of-holle-bolle-gijs-in-efteling
The famous Holle Bolle Gijs. Image: Hullie/Wikimedia Commons/CC3.0

Of course, a kickass rollercoaster based on the legend of the Flying Dutchman can’t possibly be missed, right? On the other side, there are also some things unclear to the unfamiliar visitor. Two years ago a reporter for the Wall Street Journal wrote a review praising the Efteling, but saw the figure of Monsieur Cannibale a racist throwback to colonial times. It is up for debate how this portrayal could be seen as typically “Dutch”, but the response to this sure was.

photo-of-the-flying-dutchman-roller-coaster-in-efteling
The Flying Dutchman roller coaster. Image: Christophe95/Wikimedia Commons/CC3.0

But despite these obscurities the image of the Efteling is not one of tastelessness. Far from it, when plans were made to establish a Disney park near Paris, the Efteling was consulted for accommodating the originally American concept to European tastes, and the result is a Disneyland unlike its American or Asian counterparts.

The Efteling remains one of the most visited theme parks in Europe, after Disneyland and Europa Park. So if the coldness and cloudiness have finally faded and rains are a distant memory, you can bring to life your inner child.

Have you visited the Efteling yet? What was your favourite part? Let us know in the comments below!

Feature Image: Julia700702/Depositphotos
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in March 2016, and was fully updated in July 2021 for your reading pleasure.

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