We’re one step closer to standing in a mosh pit: Dutch virologists have developed a nasal spray that protects you against coronavirus for up to 24 hours.

The researchers from Erasmus MC in Rotterdam say the spray could be used by travellers and by those attending festivals and concerts.

The virus inhibitor prevents the virus from entering the cells in the nose and making its way to the lungs. The virus is unable to multiply if the spray is used. Even better, the spray doesn’t need to be refrigerated, so it can be used on the go for an extra boost of protection.

Visiting family and friends

Virologist Rory de Vries told AD that the spray can “protect yourself from housemates who are infected,” or when visiting infected relatives.

The drug has so far proved effective when tested on ferrets. They received one spray a day and were found to be protected against multiple strains of COVID-19, including the South African and British variants.

Would you use this if it meant you could travel safely? Let us know in the comments below!

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If you’re reading this now, you better be at home. The decision earlier today that the curfew should be lifted immediately has been suspended.

This has been determined by the court in The Hague after an appeal by the State. That means the curfew remains in effect as of 9 PM tonight.

According to the court, the interest of the State is greater than that of the Viruswaarheid action group.

The court found that a flip-flop effect must be prevented. “Now there is a curfew, and if we as the court do not grant this suspension, then the curfew is off,” said the chairman of the court, reported by the NOS.

“What happens if we decide otherwise in the main proceedings? Then the curfew has to be in effect again. And otherwise, the curfew will be off for a few days. Under these kinds of circumstances, we deem the interest of the State more important.”

Court rules Dutch curfew remains in place for now – time to dash home everyone #COVID19 #avondklok pic.twitter.com/9eJSOvZWdT

— anna holligan 🎙 (@annaholligan) February 16, 2021

Appeal after dramatic decree earlier today

Earlier today, the court ruled that the curfew should be lifted immediately in a case brought forward by Viruswaarheid.

The State submitted an emergency appeal and asked the judge to suspend the decision so that the curfew would still remain until at least the substantive hearing next Friday at 10:00.

It remains to be seen if things will actually be quiet on the streets tonight, particularly after the Netherlands saw extended days of rioting after the curfew came into effect.

Cars, bikes and mopeds speeding around The Hague.

People blowing whistles and cheering, sirens sounding. Things feel v unpredictable this eve #COVID19

— anna holligan 🎙 (@annaholligan) February 16, 2021

How is all this confusion about the curfew appearing to you? Let us know in the comments!

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The RIVM has released its weekly coronavirus figures for the period of February 10 to February 16. The number of new infections has risen slightly and yet the country may even see a sudden ease in restrictions — namely through the lifting of curfew. 

The lifting of the night curfew does not necessarily mean that the government plans on easing other restrictions yet.

New number of infections

Over the past week, the RIVM reported 25,229 new infections the Netherlands. This is more than the previous week’s number of 24,668 new infections.

The numbers for this week are a little unclear due to test centres being shut by the cold and icy weather.

Deaths

The number of patients who have died from COVID-19-related complications has also risen slightly. This week 423 people passed away, compared to 408 people the previous week.

Hospitalisations

Hospitalisations are also up, along with the number of admissions to the ICU. The past week saw 1,120 new admissions to the nursing ward and 191 new patients in the ICU. The week before, there were 1,096 and 172, respectively.

The Dutch government remains concerned over the new variants of coronavirus, as a result, strict measures (aside from curfew) are likely to remain in place for the Netherlands. There are also changes to the vaccination strategy, as well as large scale trial events taking place.

Curfew to be lifted immediately

A Dutch court ruling this morning decreed that the curfew should be lifted immediately. The judge ruled that the curfew breached the freedom of movement, and that Senate and the House of Representatives should have been consulted before it was made into law.

The Dutch cabinet is reviewing the case but the ruling cannot be delayed by an appeal.

Vaccination strategy

The distribution of the AstraZeneca vaccine started last week. Alongside this, the Dutch government has altered its vaccination strategy. This week in Zeeland, GPs will start vaccinating those with serious lung conditions, Downs syndrome, and those who are deemed morbidly obese.

Trial events

Research began this week to test whether or not large scale events such as festivals, conferences and theatre events can safely go ahead. Yesterday, Fieldlab Events held a trial event at the Beatrix Theatre in Utrecht.

This is the first of many trial events that will occur in the Netherlands over the coming weeks. More than 63,000 people have registered for a trial festival which will be held next month.

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

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The Dutch cabinet is going to challenge the curfew ban which was ruled by a judge in The Hague earlier today. 

The judge of the court case ruled that the curfew in the Netherlands should be lifted immediately, on the grounds that it is a violation of the right to freedom of movement and freedom of privacy. He had also found that the passing of curfew was unlawful, deeming the measure not urgent enough to bypass Parliament.

By the means of an urgent appeal, the cabinet is asking the judge to suspend his ruling, reports NOS. 

Emergency law for curfew

As mentioned in the press conference with Mark Rutte and Ferd Grapperhaus, the cabinet is also planning to introduce emergency legislation to uphold the curfew. This is as yet unclear how and when it will take affect.

Rutte also stated in a moral appeal for the public to abide by curfew whether or not it is legally binding.

Appeal and possible decision later this afternoon

The court in The Hague is supposed to consider the request for suspension at 4 PM this afternoon. The question of whether or not the curfew should be upheld is to be decided in a later session. 

If the ruling doesn’t change this afternoon, the curfew will be cancelled immediately. This would mean that you can legally go outside after 9 PM today, confirms NOS.

How does this all affect your plans for a midnight walk? Unless the higher appeal at 4PM gives us a different verdict, there will be no legal basis for the police to enforce curfew.

Are you surprised by this development? Let us know in the comments below!

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The curfew in the Netherlands should be lifted immediately, the judge of a court case in The Hague has ruled.  

The case was brought to the court by the Virus Truth Foundation. According to NOS, the judge ruled that the curfew is a violation of the right to freedom of movement and the freedom of privacy.

The curfew as introduced in line with the Extraordinary Powers of Civil Authority Act whereby the Dutch cabinet can pass laws without consulting the Senate or the House of Representatives. The judge in this case ruled that the curfew should have been debated by these houses as there was not enough to evidence provided to prove that it required “special urgency.”

Court rules Dutch curfew must be lifted immediately – according to the judge, the 2100 curfew was introduced as emergency but did not constitute an emergency “as is the case with a dyke breach” #Netherlands #COVID19 #avondklok

— anna holligan 🎙 (@annaholligan) February 16, 2021

This is decided one week after the Dutch government extended the curfew to March 2. While the Judge has made the decree, the cabinet has yet to respond.

Minister of Justice now studying the ruling

The Dutch Minister of Justice and Security, Ferdinand Grapperhaus, is now studying the judge’s decree, the NOS reports. It is understood that the lifting of the curfew cannot be delayed by an appeal.

However, for now the response of the cabinet remains unknown.

Updates to follow as the situation develops.

Are you surprised by the judge’s decision? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

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Music lovers rejoice as Fieldlab Events works with the Dutch government to set up a trial festival next month. RTL Nieuws reports that the festival is set to take place March 13 and 14 in Biddinghuizen, the site where the Lowlands festival is normally held. 

While experts debate whether or not it is too soon to ease restricts in the Netherlands, this study is given an exemption from the law. Good luck getting a ticket for this coveted event, however, as more than 63,000 people have already signed up to take part in the trial — which has a maximum of 1,500 participants.

The small concert is part of ongoing research into the spread of coronavirus at events with an audience. As part of the study, experts are trialling large scale events such as music festivals, conferences and theatre performances. Yesterday, the organisers held a trial event at the Beatrix Theatre in Utrecht.

Strict rules apply

Attendees will have to follow strict rules in order to reduce the chance of infection. Everyone will have to do a coronavirus test before entering the festival, have their temperature checked and sanitise their hands upon entry. Those at the festival will be asked to take random rapid tests and anyone who attends the trials will be tested again five days after the event.

The 1,500 guests will be split up into groups of 500 people. In the trial at the theatre yesterday, each bubble had its own entrance and toilet amongst other facilities. Masks and visors were worn throughout the trial.

Beginning of the end of hard times

King Willem-Alexander is a fan of these kind of studies. He tells RTL Nieuws that he believes this research provides hope that we are coming to the end of these dark times. He says that everyone can benefit from this research and that it would be great if events like this are possible again.

Would you feel safe to go to a trial festival? Let us know what you think in the comments.

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