Home Blog Page 553

Dutch Lockdown: these are the measures now in effect

Brin Andrews
-
0
Dutch Lockdown: these are the measures now in effect

The Dutch cabinet has issued a new set of emergency coronavirus guidelines to go into effect on December 15. The restrictions will last for five weeks, expiring Tuesday, January 19. This has been announced by Prime Minister Mark Rutte in a December 14 press conference.

Here’s everything you need to know about the seven new measures:

New measures

Education

  • Primary and secondary schools will close. They must revert back to online education as much as possible. A few exceptions will apply, such as for vulnerable students, students undergoing exams, or practical training. (These measures apply from Wednesday, December 16.)
  • Daycare must also close. Child care options will remain only for parents with essential professions.

Business

  • All non-essential stores will close. This means all clothing shops, craft stores, and garden centres, for example.
  • Essential stores that may remain open include supermarkets and other food shops, banks, and pharmacies. The full list also includes pet shops, petrol stations, parcel service points, government locations, mortgage lenders, and DIY shops (such as hardware stores) for pickup.
  • Contact professions must also take a hiatus. This includes sex workers, hairdressers, tattoo artists, etc.
  • Medical professionals such as dentists, dermatologists, and therapists may continue to work.

Public locations

  • So-called “transfer locations,” must close, these include public spaces such as theatres, museums, zoos, and amusement parks.
  • Hotels remain open, although they may no longer serve food and drinks to their guests.
  • Libraries may also remain open but only for borrowing and returning books.
  • Community centres will stay open to provide services to vulnerable people.

Groups of people

  • The maximum number of visitors in the home is two per day. This applies to people over the age of 12.
  • A small exception will be made for Christmas, allowing three guests in total on December 24, 25, and 26.
  • Outside, the maximum group size has been reduced from four to two people.

Sports and outdoor activities

  • Gyms, saunas, and swimming pools will close.
  • You may still go outside for fresh air and exercise. Outdoor exercise must be performed alone or in pairs.
  • Children up to and including the age of 17 are allowed to play outside in larger teams or play outside matches with teams from their own club.
  • Top athletes may continue to train and perform. No audience is allowed to come and watch.

Travel

  • Only travel by public transport if absolutely necessary.
  • Do not travel abroad. Do not book international travel until at least March 15.
  • Domestic travel is still possible for those who wish to go to a cabin or bungalow, provided the same measures apply as in the home.
  • Travellers to the Netherlands from outside the EU are required to show a negative test result and signed statement. (This takes effect from 6 PM on Tuesday, December 15.)

Work from home

  • The cabinet has issued very firm advice to “work from home at all times.”

A week before the measures are set to expire, the cabinet will determine the next course of action. Meanwhile, you can read up on coronavirus testing and vaccinations in the Netherlands, or travel restrictions to the country.

To stay up-to-date with coronavirus news in the Netherlands, follow DutchReview on Facebook.

Feature Image: DutchReview/Canva

Dutch Prime Minister Rutte addresses the nation: here’s what he had to say

Sarah O'Leary 🇮🇪
-
0
Dutch Prime Minister Rutte addresses the nation: here’s what he had to say

Today has been a whirlwind for the Netherlands. Following crisis talks on Sunday, further talks this morning and the unofficial announcement of some very strict new measures, the country was all ears as Prime Minister spoke to us from the Torentje. What did he have to say? 

The Prime Minister was looking solemn from behind his desk tonight, saying that his previous warnings have become a reality. While everything was looking prim and proper inside, whistling could be heard from the streets outside — these were the whistles of protestors.

“Good evening, sadly I have to address you again,” he began. “More than a week ago I told you that new measures were not unthinkable if numbers would rise. Numbers are rising, we’re going in lockdown for at least five weeks. The Netherlands will be closed.”

“The Netherlands will be closed”

Following reports from The Hague this morning, Rutte has confirmed the latest measures that will take effect. These will include the closing of schools from today on as well as the closing of all non-essential shops and many public buildings.

READ MORE | Dutch lockdown: these are the measures taking effect from December 15

“We must return to March”

Rutte pushed the seriousness with which these new measures have to be taken, urging listeners to throw their minds back to March and the scenes of empty streets. “This is where we have to go back to again,” he said.

He urged people to consider the hard losses that families and business owners alike have suffered, saying that in order for the Netherlands to reduce this harm these latest measures must be followed.

“Many people have lost their loved ones, businesses are in peril, people need contact around Christmas. But that’s why we need to make sure to follow the rules and take care of each other.”

Together against coronavirus

The Prime Minister appealed to what remains of Christmas spirit in the Netherlands by asking that the country unifies as one against the coronavirus.

This needs to happen

He urged that the Netherlands now needs to help its healthcare system, which is suffering under the latest numbers. He stressed that the coronavirus is not to be taken lightly and addressed the noise coming from outside his window.

Protestors

Whilst the speech was read from the teleprompter the Prime Minister’s speech did not run smoothly due to the loud whistling and jeering coming from outside. According to reports on social media, this noise came from a small but loud group standing outside the building.

He took a moment to go off script and address the noise that could be clearly overheard. “It’s not the flu, or something like that like the people outside are thinking perhaps,” Rutte said as he pointed out the window — clarifying our suspicion that those are not the whistles and jeers of avid fans.

Returning to the facts

The Prime Minister then turned to the facts. “Every day there are more than 60 deaths from coronavirus, 9,000 cases and many more bad figures.” He uses these numbers to stress how important healthcare is at this moment, saying that roughly 6,000 more people would have died in the Netherlands if it were not for the health support they received.

For healthcare

He stresses that the latest restrictions have to happen for the sake of healthcare and thanks its workers for their service during the pandemic.

“Many thanks and admiration again for those on the frontline of the health service. This is why we got to have this lockdown, which will come down to this.”

A “bitter pill” for businesses

Rutte acknowledges that these latest restrictions will be a “bitter pill.” He claimed that this is now a necessity and that further subsidies will be made available to help support entrepreneurs and their staff.

“A year of hope”

Rutte concluded his speech with a bit of hope. He asked listeners to look at 2021 as a nearby refuge from this crisis.

“There will be a moment when we leave coronavirus behind us, not next week but in 2021. That will be a year of hope.” He has asked that the nation power through this (hopefully) final stage of the crisis, saying “we need more perseverance, it’s hard, help each other, think about the heroes in healthcare and despite everything — have a good holiday.”

Indeed, this holiday period will be rough. What are your thoughts on the latest measures?

Feature Image: DutchReview

These are the COVID-19 numbers that are pushing the Netherlands into lockdown

Brin Andrews
-
0
These are the COVID-19 numbers that are pushing the Netherlands into lockdown

The Netherlands is about to go into its strictest coronavirus lockdown yet. These new figures from the RIVM tell us why.

In spite of the cabinet’s ongoing efforts to verbally warn people that they must adhere to the current measures to prevent a strict lockdown, the warnings didn’t take. The number of positive cases has continued to rise, and the R number is holding fast at a dangerous 1.

Up to 10 AM this morning, 8,496 new coronavirus infections were reported to the RIVM. The average number of daily infections over the past week is 8,272.

Nursing wards staying packed, with 184 new hospital admissions today, according to the National Coordination Centre for Patient Distribution. This contributes to a total of 1,872 people currently being treated in nursing wards for coronavirus.

Of these patients, 503 are in the ICU. More patients are now being admitted than have been discharged or died.

In the past week, the RIVM has recorded an average of 55 COVID-19-related deaths per day. That’s compared to 47 deaths per day the week prior.

In nursing homes, the upward trend also continues. There are currently 602 nursing homes in the Netherlands that have had at least one confirmed coronavirus diagnosis in the past two weeks. The previous week that figure was 561.

New measures

As a result, the cabinet is expected to introduce new measures at midnight tonight. These include the closure of all non-essential shops, museums, theatres and schools. Prime Minister Mark Rutte will address the nation regarding these new measures tonight at 7PM.

To stay up-to-date with the latest coronavirus news in the Netherlands through our live blog or follow DutchReview on Facebook.

Feature Image: Vlada Karpovich/Pexels

LIVE BLOG: strictest lockdown yet will hit the Netherlands at midnight, PM Rutte tells more

Samantha Dixon 🇦🇺
-
0
LIVE BLOG: strictest lockdown yet will hit the Netherlands at midnight, PM Rutte tells more

Coronavirus in the Netherlands: today’s news

Not quite another day for coronavirus in the Netherlands. The live blog will load below.

The latest headlines:

Feature Image: DutchReview

Netherlands prepares to go into “hard lockdown” from midnight: almost everything will close

Sarah O'Leary 🇮🇪
-
2
Netherlands prepares to go into “hard lockdown” from midnight: almost everything will close

The cabinet is planning to enforce a strict lockdown in the Netherlands. The lockdown is expected to last until January 19 and will involve the closure of almost everything.

The news comes from sources in The Hague who told the NOS the lockdown will close all non-essential shops, hairdressers, museums, theatres and schools.

Closure at midnight

In order to prevent a rush to the shops, the new measures will come into effect tonight at midnight. Non-healthcare contact professions such as hairdressers will also be asked to discontinue service after this time.

Schools will be expected to close their doors on Wednesday and people will be asked to stay at home as much as possible. This will also be expected during the holidays as the government asks that people discourage house guests.

Numbers too high

The government has decided to implement these drastic new measures due to the sharp rise in coronavirus numbers across the Netherlands this past week. On Saturday, 9182 people tested positive for the virus, and a further 9924 on Sunday.

Prime Minister Mark Rutte will address the nation tonight at 7 PM when he will clarify the Dutch government’s new measures.

Follow DutchReview for tonight’s press conference, live. 

Feature Image: martinbertrand.fr/Shutterstock.com

Dutch add “homebirth culture” to the list of intangible heritage

Brin Andrews
-
0
Dutch add “homebirth culture” to the list of intangible heritage

Homebirth culture has been added to the list of Dutch intangible heritage. According to the Netherlands Intangible Heritage Knowledge Centre (KIEN), there is nowhere else in the Western world that do at-home deliveries on such a large scale.

Nominated by the Royal Dutch Organisation of Midwives (KNOV) and the Dutch Professional Association for Maternity Nurses (NBvK), the organisations see homebirths as a part of the Dutch identity and culture.

These midwives, maternity nurses, and expectant parents want to safeguard the practice of Dutch homebirths for cultural and medical reasons. Their objective is “to prevent a natural process from being unnecessarily medicalized and to interpret the medical and cultural values ​​of the home birth.”

The distinctiveness of homebirths in the Netherlands

Today’s popularity of homebirth culture in the Netherlands stems from “a series of legal-medical decisions, which enabled a separate branch of obstetrics and maternity care to be guaranteed.” This combination of care ensures that a woman is properly guided from the start of the pregnancy until well after birth.

READ MORE | Motherhood in the Netherlands: what you can expect if you aren’t Dutch

The KIEN says that although it’s possible to give birth at home safely in other parts of the world, in the Netherlands, the freedom to choose where the delivery takes place is a core value based on “a number of immaterial cultural values such as ‘autonomy/we determine ourselves’, a ‘natural process’, and ‘being at home’.”

Early in the twentieth century, Dutch law established the autonomous power of the midwife. They were trained as independent medical practitioners. This allowed them the freedom to supervise deliveries at home, whereas in other Western countries, birthing care fell under the responsibility of doctors.

Safeguarding the cultural heritage

According to the KIEN, the popularity of homebirths in the Netherlands has been dwindling in recent years. To protect the cultural integrity of delivering at home, they’ve developed a set of security actions. They aim to counterbalance fear among expectant parents and provide accurate information about the home delivery process.

READ NEXT | 4 reasons why Dutch kids are happier than American kids

They also wish to promote homebirth as “part of the Dutch immaterial culture and indicate the importance of the underlying values, namely: freedom of choice, autonomy, ‘being at home’ and not medicalising unnecessarily.”

Additionally, KIEN  says that the maternity care profession has a “somewhat dusty image” and they want to make it more attractive to the new generation by improving the perception around it.

What do you think of homebirth culture in the Netherlands? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!

Feature Image: Rene Asmussen/Pexels

Weather report: it’s a little warm, then wet, then dry, then warm again

Samantha Dixon 🇦🇺
-
0
Weather report: it’s a little warm, then wet, then dry, then warm again

Time to pull out your beach body, everyone: temperatures in the Netherlands are set to go back into the double digits!

Of course, by “double digits”, we mean “11.12 degrees Celsius”, and by “beach body” we mean “slightly fewer layers of clothing” but hey, we’re still pumped!

After a particularly chilly week last week (did anyone else step outside into one-degree weather?), we’re being gifted a short reprieve.

The average temperature in the Netherlands at this time of year is only six degrees, but some parts of the Netherlands may rise above 12 degrees today. This is “exceptionally warm,” according to Buienradar weatherman, Leander de Wit.

We can thank a supply of warm air over the ocean for the rise in temperatures. Of course, it’s not all good news: we’re still in the Netherlands after all. Despite the warmer air, the weather will be moody and unpredictable.

Tuesday

If you’re in a stay-inside-and-drink-hot-chocolate mood, you’re in luck! Rainy weather is coming our way on Tuesday, beginning overnight and peaking Tuesday morning. De Wit has claimed that it will be the “wettest day of the week.”

The Netherlands is expecting 5-10 millimetres, so don’t forget your umbrella if you dare venture outside.

Wednesday

Are you a sun-lover? Then don’t sleep through Wednesday. The morning will be sunny (what a foreign word at the moment!), while some clouds will come over in the afternoon.

Luckily, it should be dry all day long with max temperatures of ten degrees about three degrees higher than average for this time of year.

Thursday

From Wednesday evening a cold front will pass over the Netherlands, bringing rain with it. By Thursday morning it will be more dry, but the weather will remain temperamental. By afternoon, we’ll see temperatures of about 10 degrees.

Are you loving the Dutch weather and would never leave? Tell us in the comments below!

Feature Image: Nastya Dulhiier/Unsplash

Tough new coronavirus measures expected for the Netherlands ahead of tonight’s press conference

Sarah O'Leary 🇮🇪
-
1
Tough new coronavirus measures expected for the Netherlands ahead of tonight’s press conference

Prime Minister Mark Rutte is expected to announce stricter coronavirus measures for the Netherlands at 7 PM. 

Following a crisis meeting yesterday, cabinet sources have told RTL Nieuws that the measures are expected to be very tough. This may include the closure of all non-essential shops and transit locations such as museums and zoos.

The crisis meeting was called due to rising coronavirus numbers throughout the Netherlands and will continue this morning.

This evening’s measures will be announced from Rutte’s office The Torentje, the Dutch equivelant of the Oval Office.

Retail must be targeted

One political source has told AD that the cabinet now sees it as “logical to look at the retail trade” when considering where to close. Reports of packed shopping streets have been concerning for the RIVM with 9924 people reported as testing positive yesterday, and 9182 on Saturday.

If retail shops are closed, it’s likely that only essential stores, such as supermarkets, will remain open in the lead-up to Christmas. It will be the first time since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic that the Netherlands has fully closed the non-essential retail industry.

Education

In yesterday’s meeting, the cabinet also turned to the question of education. The expected measures remain uncertain. However, an additional week of Christmas break is a possibility.

Whilst secondary school education can be performed primarily online, this is a much more difficult task when it comes to primary education.

Transfer locations and contact professions

The cabinet is also looking to close “transfer locations.” These include places such as museums, zoos and swimming pools. The cabinet fears that people are no longer willing to abide by necessary restrictions such as social distancing.

“It is quite sad that the current package of measures does nothing anymore, the Dutch simply don’t stick to it anymore. Shops and streets are overcrowded, no distance is kept and people with complaints no longer stay at home. The pressure on healthcare is just getting too great” one cabinet source tells AD.

Contact professions such as hairdressers will also be discussed in today’s meeting. These professions were closed during the first lockdown.

Announcement tonight

It is expected that the Prime Minister, Mark Rutte, and Health Minister, Hugo De Jonge, will announce the latest measures tonight in a press conference. This will be following this morning’s meeting and one further meeting later today.

The new measures are expected to last from the last weeks in December into — and potentially through — January.

Do you think stricter measures are needed? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

Feature Image: Alexandros Michailidis/Shutterstock.com

New Year’s Eve 2020: more police expected to enforce restrictions and fireworks ban

Sarah O'Leary 🇮🇪
-
0
New Year’s Eve 2020: more police expected to enforce restrictions and fireworks ban

A spokesperson for the National Police has announced that there will be “a lot more police” out on the streets this New Year’s Eve. This is because coronavirus restrictions and the fireworks ban will have to be enforced. 

The spokesperson explains that New Year’s Eve “is always a high-risk event.” However, this year will be extra challenging for police, RTL Nieuws reports.

But the fireworks ban will be the least of their problems. The real issue will be the enforcement of coronavirus restrictions. They believe people will be socially discontent due to the measures.

“People are tired of corona restrictions and need an outlet. The events that normally provide entertainment and distraction, such as the countdown moments and the bonfires, cannot continue and the catering industry is closed.”

Twice as many police officers in Amsterdam

Amsterdam’s Chief of Police, Frank Paauw, has claimed that there will be twice as many police officers on the capital’s streets this New Year’s.

He believes that the city will be under considerable risk this year because people will be unable to celebrate in bars or restaurants. Instead, the fear is that people will take to the streets. “It will be a difficult night”, he says.

Varies between municipalities

However, while Amsterdam will deploy twice as many police officers, cities such as Rotterdam and Utrecht will not.

Rotterdam will see the usual number of police deployed this New Year’s. A spokesperson for the municipality tells RTL that since the shops, bars and restaurants will be closed, there will be no nightlife and therefore, no need for extra officers.

Similarly, Utrecht will not be deploying extra officers, however the force is trying to determine potential hotspots for fireworks in order to respond quickly if necessary.

For healthcare

The National Police Chief has emphasised that these steps are necessary in order to prevent the further spread of coronavirus throughout the Netherlands. “We do it together so that healthcare is not overburdened.”

What do you think about this announcement? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

Feature Image: Dutchmen Photography/Shutterstock.com

Dual citizenship in the Netherlands: why the Dutch discourage it

Bobby Salomons
-
8
Dual citizenship in the Netherlands: why the Dutch discourage it

The Dutch government have been actively discouraging dual citizenship for years now, in other words — enjoying another official citizenship in addition to your Dutch one.

If you have dual citizenship, it may be time to get in contact with your local branch of the Dutch authorities and find out whether or not you are still eligible for Dutch citizenship.

Dual citizenship and the Netherlands: what is double nationality — and why is it controversial?

We almost all have a nationality at birth, which is usually the country your parents had (permanent) residence in.

Some countries extend this ‘privilege’ to anyone on their soil, or within their borders, even if they or their parents weren’t actually living there. In the US, for example, many women have given birth within US borders, whether purposely or purely by coincidence, and the child is eligible for US citizenship.

Other countries will allow a child to be a citizen based on their parents’ nationality or ethnic background, even if the parents are no longer in that country, one of those nations is Turkey.

For others, after registration, and meeting the requirements necessary, you are then given ‘citizenship’ — meaning you are now officially Dutch, American, Japanese or anything in between.

Dutch citizenship means you can enjoy all the privileges that come with being a Dutchie. You have the exact same rights as everyone from the country — including diplomatic aid (say, you’d get in trouble on vacation — your embassy may step in), social services (unemployment benefits or student grants) as well as being able to cast your vote in elections.

It also means you’ll probably be given your very own passport, or at least some sort of official documents that prove your citizenship and allow you to travel. 

Read More ︱Rutte Rules Out Dual Citizenship For Dutch in Brexit Britain

Why has dual citizenship and the Netherlands become an issue?

The reason this has become controversial is that certain people are enjoying the benefits of both, doubling up their personal privileges over those other citizens who merely have one citizenship.

In some cases, people with dual citizenship are enjoying social benefits from both countries. For example, working in the Netherlands for years — returning to their home country but continuing to receive those benefits while no longer part of Dutch society and also receiving benefits locally from that country. This, in particular, has happened a lot in Morocco, where some (former) migrants now live “luxurious” lives, at least in comparison to if they had had merely one nationality.

In other cases people are involved in political dealings in a ‘country of heritage’. In other words, they have never lived there, sometimes not even vacationed there, but are actively rallying others in their country of residence (where they currently live) to influence politics of the other nationality.

This happened in Turkey, where controversial PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan sought the presidency. Instead of concentrating on Turkish citizens in Turkey, Erdogan branched out all over Europe and rallied Turks to vote in favour of his reforms. He also began actively campaigning in those countries, which is extremely diplomatically controversial, sending out Turkish political figures to rallies around Europe. In the Netherlands the situation escalated when a Turkish minister was rejected and riots broke out in Rotterdam and Amsterdam.

Turkish Vice-Premier is not welcome in the Netherlands
Make Turkey in the Netherlands great again”. Image: DutchReview/Supplied

Last but not least, some people are using their dual citizenship to ‘hide’ from the consequences of their actions. Some countries do not extradite their citizens and so, if you have their citizenship, you can commit acts of crime in one country and flee there to avoid prosecution.

Worse perhaps is that some figures are using their dual citizenship for terrorism. Many, for example, crossed into Islamic State-territory from neighbouring countries of which they were also citizens, and because they still have Dutch (or other) passports they may return at will to that country — potentially plotting terrorist attacks.

Now what? Go see your local embassy or hire an immigration lawyer!

The Dutch cabinet, Rutte III, is actively banning dual citizenship of new immigrants, with certain exceptions. This means you will be informed of having to make a choice — do you wish to remain or become a Dutch citizen, keeping your benefits and passport, or will you renounce it for your new/old nationality and lose them but keep your ‘current’ rights and benefits there?

Some people may automatically lose their citizenship, for example, because they were merely children when they migrated elsewhere and came of age in their new country, never having actively been part of Dutch society as adults. Others, as stated before, will have to make a choice sooner or later.

Double Nationality and the Netherlands

On the upside, it may also make the Netherlands safer, as certain people (like criminals abusing their citizenship and terrorists) will now also lose their citizenship and may not return to the country or be promptly arrested upon arrival as an ‘unwanted alien’.

You can, however, likely make a case out of your situation, asking to speak to the Dutch Naturalization and Immigration Service (IND) and/or lawyering up with an Immigration Lawyer who should be able to give you a clear picture of what your options are.

For everyone else little will change — so don’t worry too much just yet! The Dutch aren’t after you or trying to ruin your life, rather it’s trying to keep oversight of where the overseas money flows and who’s being a citizen of where. When in doubt, write to your local Dutch branch of the government, or just check the websites and give them a call!

What do you think of the Dutch government’s discouragement of duel citizenship? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below.

Feature Image: jacqueline macou/Pixabay
Editor’s note: This article was originally published in December 2017 but was fully updated in December 2020 for your reading pleasure.

1...552553554...742Page 553 of 742