As of today, you can travel by direct train to the United Kingdom’s capital city — even despite the pandemic.
The first Eurostar Amsterdam to London train departed this morning, a trip that takes only four hours. The journey also stops in Rotterdam and Brussels.
London is currently on high-alert because of the coronavirus crisis. Both the Dutch and UK governments urge people to only travel if necessary. If you do travel to London from the Netherlands you will complete a 14-day quarantine upon arrival, and a further 10-day quarantine on your return to Holland.
A direct connection between the two countries has been planned for years. However, because Great Britain is not part of the Schengen zone, new ticket and ID-check terminals had to be built in Amsterdam and Rotterdam. Passengers are asked to arrive 45-60 minutes before their train departs to complete this process.
Naturally, the train was planned to run more frequently than it will currently. The pandemic has forced the number of trains per day to drop. Now only two trains will run per weekday and none on the weekends.
The newest launch means that people in Amsterdam can now go directly to five other different countries. In addition to the UK, daily trains also run to Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, and France.
A new statement from Prime Minister Rutte and Health Minister De Jonge warns “draconian measures” may be imposed if people don’t follow the current coronavirus measures.
For over two hours on Sunday, the cabinet and its advisors discussed if and when new coronavirus measures will come into effect.
More clarity is expected tomorrow when the cabinet shares its plans for addressing the country’s growing crisis.
Still too early to tell
According to experts and policymakers, it’s too soon to tell if the current measures are having the intended effect, reports RTL Nieuws.
A formal press conference is not anticipated tomorrow, but likely later this week.
Over the course of the coming days, it should become clear whether there has been a levelling off or decrease in infection rates.
The looming lockdown
If the current restrictions have not made a substantial impact, tighter measures would be necessary.
This would mean moving to the highest risk level on the government’s roadmap, which would disallow home visits and meetings, and no more than two people would be able to go out together in public.
Political reporter Marleen de Rooy says, “A total lockdown and a curfew are also measures that the government will not rule out if the figures continue to rise.”
Do you think the government should impose strict measures to curb the growing coronavirus numbers? Let us know in the comments.
Police in Hilversum have been left very frustrated after they found more than 300 people partying in a construction site. Only two people were arrested, the DJ and an attendee who kicked one of the officers.
The police who made the discovery did not have the means to take disciplinary action against all the partygoers. For this reason, most of the attendees left the site without a problem.
The officers say the partygoers did not comply with coronavirus measures and put their lives at risk by partying in the dark in a construction site. The site was also close to train tracks.
Attendees from all over the Netherlands
What is also worrying about the discovery of the partygoers was the finding of their vehicles.
Police found roughly 100 vehicles at the scene, which could be identified as coming from many different regions of the Netherlands. There were also multiple taxis from Amsterdam. It is also speculated that many of the visitors would have come by public transport.
Outrage
Politie Hilversum (Hilversum Police) have described the illegal party as “incomprehensible and irresponsible” on their Facebook page.
They say that on top of the danger brought into the area by breaking coronavirus measures, the partygoers also left a large amount of waste in the area which will now have to be cleaned up.
“A mountain of waste stayed behind in nature and will have to be cleaned up later today.”
They ended their statement with a plea to abide by the latest coronavirus measures.
“We understand that times are tough for everyone. The corona crisis has lasted over half a year now and the current figures of the RIVM are not encouraging. Now is the time to persevere, for each other, for the healthcare staff, but also for the hospitality industry and events we miss so much.”
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The Netherlands has breached the 10,000 coronavirus cases per day mark. As of 10 AM, 10,007 more positive COVID-19 cases were registered by the RIVM. This is a jump of 726 people from yesterday’s report.
The Randstad is the supplier of most of these cases with the highest numbers being found in Amsterdam (743), Rotterdam (558) and The Hague (349). These cities have been the hotspots for a while now.
Hospitalizations
The number of people being hospitalised with coronavirus is now higher than the number of those who are being discharged. The NOS reports that 248 more people have been brought into nursing wards across the country. This is 10 more than yesterday.
The number of people admitted to the ICU is slightly down with 43 new patients. These numbers bring the grand total of coronavirus patients in the hospital up to 2,073. Of this number, 472 patients are in the ICU.
Deaths
The number of deaths for the past few days has been far above the weekly average. According to the RIVM, the past seven days measure an average of 37 deaths per day.
However, yesterday saw 46 deaths and today’s number has been registered as 47. This number may in fact be higher given that there is usually a delay of a few days when registering deaths. This is due to the fact that GGDs are under immense pressure.
Stricter measures?
The government has met today to further discuss coronavirus in the Netherlands. Experts have come forward to argue for a complete two-week lockdown.
However, the Minister for Justice and Security claims that the Netherlands has already imposed “very strict” measures. We must simply wait to see the results.
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For 28 years, the Crossing Border Festival has brought Dutch and international cultural talent direct to The Hague. This year, the party will continue — fully online and totally for free.
The festival will be host to a full lineup of jaw-dropping music and literature acts from November 3 to 8. Even better, you can take part in the festivities from the comfort of your lounge room by watching the live stream stage at Crossing Border Headquarters. Some events will even be broadcast from the stunning Theater aan het Spui.
Online is actually an arrangement that we’re totally on board with. Why? Because by broadcasting the festival online you enjoy exclusive performances every day, plus interact with a fantastic line-up of Dutch and international authors, musicians, poets, and spoken word artists.
Even better, being online means you can choose to enjoy every single day of the festival from any city in the Netherlands. Whether you’re grooving in Groningen, lingering in Leeuwarden, or mingling in Maastricht, you can enjoy this Randstad event. Can anyone say “all-inclusive”? Crossing Border Festival can!
I’m in, now tell me what for!
Are you kidding me? There’s so much happening at the Crossing Border Festival (over 50 acts!) we can’t possibly list it all here — but I guess we can give you a little teaser.
First up, these incredible drawcards aren’t just Dutch. The international lineup includes Antonio Scurati, Manuel Vilas, Hoda Barakat, and Michel Christie — plus heaps more!
Perhaps you’re in the mood for watching a live online interview with promising author Paul Mendez whose debut novel is making huge waves in England? What about getting into the brain of one of the UK’s most respected poets, Robin Robertson?
There are huge names from across the literary scene, from established industry leaders to the most talented debutants. All the interviews are conducted live so you can even ask the authors those burning questions in the back of your mind.
Of course, if it’s music that you’re coming for you won’t be disappointed. Up-and-coming international bands like Keeley Forsyth, Anna B Savage and Kassa Overall will feature exclusively recorded performances for you to jam out to in your pyjamas.
Brooklyn-based “backpack jazz” artist, Kassa Overall, will hit the stage. Image: Aren Johnson/Crossing Border Festival
One event we really can’t wait for is perhaps the steamiest: an online interview with Jehnny Beth and Johnny Hostile (Savages) about their recently published erotic story collection C.A.L.M.: Crimes Against Love Memories. Is it getting hot in here or what?
Alright, you’ve got me — how do I take part?
Even though the Crossing Border Festival has gone virtual, we still recommend you register for your favourite events to make sure that you don’t miss out.
When you register you will choose the day(s) that you’re interested in. Registration will give you access to all the artists that are featured on that day. You’ll also receive a direct link to the live stream, extra information, the latest updates, and even a reminder on the day of the event — just in case it slips your mind.
How much is the Crossing Border Festival 2020?
We know, it’s hard to believe — but the Crossing Border Festival is 100% free. Gratis. On the house. Echt goedkoop, toch? (Very cheap, right?)
An egg heist has caused ripples in the queer penguin community at the Amersfoort Zoo. A lesbian penguin couple has lost its entire nest of eggs to their sticky-fingered neighbours, a gay couple who’s known for making trouble.
This isn’t the first time the gay penguin pair has ruffled feathers. Last year, the same romantically entwined bandits got away with an egg from another penguin family during “an unguarded moment,” according to zoo representatives. The highjacked egg never hatched, leaving the would-be-fathers still chick-less.
Raising the odds
This time, the males upped the ante, swiping every egg from the nest of their female couple counterpart. “So it turns out to be a very determined couple,” says zookeeper Sander Drost.
However, it’s still not looking optimistic for the eager-to-brood male penguins. “It is striking that the gay couple has started brooding on the nest of the lesbian penguins, so we already know that the eggs are not fertilized,” explains Sander.
But the animal caretaker says that the males are cautious with their new stolen treasures. “Maybe one day we will welcome a chick that has been hatched by a gay couple. Who knows, they might succeed next year.”
Not so uncommon
The Amersfoort Zoo announced the “special news” of the egg thievery in a tweet on Tuesday, adding that “homosexuality is more common in this bird species. Both birds nest on the eggs, alternately guarding the nest!”
Bijzonder nieuws! 🐧🐧 Het pinguïn-homokoppel van ons park heeft dit jaar een heel nest ingenomen van een lesbisch pinguïnstel. Homoseksualiteit komt vaker voor bij deze vogelsoort. Beide vogels broeden op de eieren, om en om bewaken zij het nest! pic.twitter.com/2oOVolLt05
Fostering eggs has become commonplace in queer penguin communities at zoos. Zookeepers will often gift unhatched eggs to queer penguin couples when they begin exhibiting signs of desperation, such as building a mock nest out of pebbles.
What do you think of the new drama that’s unfolded among the zoo’s penguins? Let us know in the comments!
Over 2000 Dutch stores have been affected by a major debit card outage this morning. Many have closed as a result.
Since 6 AM, paying using a card machine at Albert Heijn, the drug store Etos, and liquor store Gall & Gall has been impossible.
While you can still shop for groceries, toiletries, and (most importantly) wine, payment is only possible by cash. As a result, a number of shops have decided to close their doors, reports RTL Nieuws.
The issue is due to a major network outage at provider KPN. While the provider doesn’t know how long the outage will last, a KPN spokesperson says they “are working hard to solve it.”
The outage is compounded by coronavirus. Since March, Dutch people have been instructed to pay with card as much as possible to reduce transmission and contact via cash.
The Red Team is a group of experts who provide the government unsolicited advice, and often, the government listens. Their current advice: the country should go into a strict lockdown, starting now.
The lockdown called for by the Red Team would mean ensuring people are meeting as little as possible, reports RTL Nieuws. Schools should be closed for two weeks, and the only supermarkets and pharmacies should remain open.
The Red Team has prepared extensive advice for the government to take stricter measures as soon as possible. “If we now opt for a powerful lockdown, we can resume our life somewhat normally in a few weeks,” says Red Team member Wim Schellekens, a former inspector at the Health Care Inspectorate.
In the meantime, he says the focus should be on ensuring the testing policy and contact tracing are fully up to speed.
What is the Red Team?
A counterpart to the Outbreak Management Team (OMT), the Red Team is a group of independent experts who give regular advice on how the government should manage coronavirus.
The government does not officially have to take the Red Team’s advice. Although, their previous recommendations have been taken to be seriously by many politicians. For instance, several days after the Red Team advised the use of face masks, the cabinet came out with urgent advice for people to wear them in indoor public places.
The Red Team’s advice
The Red Team calls for four temporary measures to be strictly followed:
Close schools for two weeks,
Work from home unless absolutely necessary,
Close all but essential shops (grocery stores and pharmacies),
Close the Netherlands’ borders.
As soon as possible
The Red Team reiterates that these measures need to take effects as soon as possible. Schellekens acknowledges, “This is indeed not fun for citizens and companies, but everyone will understand that it is necessary, as long as it does not take too long.” He says we’ve been at risk level 4 for about 10 days already with the cabinet’s new measures, and the infections have not waned. “This is taking too long.”
The Red Team suggests that if the cabinet announces stricter measures soon, we can get back to regular routines more quickly. “Hopefully in a few weeks, we will be able to resume our life somewhat ‘normal’ and celebrate Christmas and New Year’s Eve together,” says Schellekens.
If we do lockdown swiftly, the Red Team hopes we can avoid another round of infections. “We are already in the second wave, there is little that can be done about it. But we must avoid getting into a third wave. That would be disastrous. For the citizens, for healthcare, but also for the economy.”
How do you find the Red Team’s advice? Is a short, strict lockdown necessary? Let us know in the comments below.
King Willem-Alexander’s apology video has caused quite the stir in Dutch news and social media. However, the video has also caused something of a stir in Thailand, where the king’s apology is being used as an example of a good monarch.
This is because Thailand’s own King Vajiralongkorn has been on holiday for 277 days this year. Meaning he has spent a total of 19 days in Thailand in 2020.
King Vajiralongkorn came to power in 2016, but his reign is unusual in that he actually lives in Germany. This has led to much protest, particularly among Thai students, who campaign for both a change in government and reform of the monarchy.
A good example
The reception of the Dutch king’s apology in Thailand has therefore been largely positive with many taking to twitter to praise the king for admitting his fault.
For example, RTL Nieuws reports that someone wrote the following on twitter: “Willem-Alexander should have come to Thailand. He is welcomed here with open arms.”
Some made a humorous comparison between Dutch people’s reaction to the video and the Thai reaction. “Poor King Willem-Alexander. He’s so weak. He just wanted to go on vacation. People don’t understand him, as we understand our king…”
Users had to be careful that they did not come across as insulting their own king. They would be charged with lese majesty, which can lead to a prison sentence of up to 15 years.
Another joked that the King Willem-Alexander should have asked King Vajiralongkorn how to holiday successfully “Willem-Alexander is so unprofessional that he had his vacation prevented. ask our king for advice.”
It seems that the king continues to impress. What do you think of the Thai response?
