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Vacation time: Dutchies can now holiday in 16 European countries

Ailish Lalor
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Vacation time: Dutchies can now holiday in 16 European countries

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has relaxed travel advice for sixteen European countries. Dutchies can now go on a foreign holiday.

A few weeks ago, Prime Minister Rutte announced that the travel advice for several European countries would be lowered from code orange (avoid unnecessary travel) to code yellow (pay attention, safety risks). Today, June 15, that comes into effect.

The countries that Dutchies can now travel to are: Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, Estonia, France, Iceland, Italy, Croatia, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal, Czech Republic and Switzerland.

These countries were selected because their coronavirus situation is similar to that of the Netherlands, and because they have opened their borders to Dutch tourists. Further relaxations are expected to happen throughout the summer, if the situation remains stable.

The situation remains changeable, Minister Blok says

Travel advice to the UK, Sweden and Denmark is remaining code orange for now. That means that a holiday there this summer is not recommended.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Stef Blok, said he was delighted that a foreign holiday would be possible for Dutchies this summer, but warned travellers that the situation is still changeable. “The virus is still among us and the situation remains uncertain. Measures to prevent the spread of the virus continue to apply in all countries. Holidaymakers will have to deal with that.”

Are you planning a foreign holiday this year? Let us know in the comments below.

Feature Image: Skitterphoto/Pexels

Laughing no more: government wants to place an almost complete ban on laughing gas

Vlad Moca-Grama
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0
Laughing no more: government wants to place an almost complete ban on laughing gas

Visitors in the Netherlands may discover a drug that they probably did not see or hear about before: laughing gas, also known as nitrous oxide. Taken by inhaling a balloon which contains the gas, the drug makes the user extremely high for around a minute.

It’s quite easy to find, too. People with gas canisters offer the substance at festivals, and you can even find random spots around the town where people offer laughing gas. The government, however, does not think it’s that funny, as they are planning an almost complete ban on laughing gas, reports NOS.

Danger to society

The proposal to ban it comes from State Secretary Paul Blokhuis, who points out that laughing gas is used by more and more young people. Not only does it put their lives in danger, but the lives of others as well, such as in traffic, making it a public safety concern.

On the flip side, normal usage of nitrous oxide will still be permitted, such as in the catering industry, car industry and in medicine. Consumers will be able to buy nitrous oxide in canisters in order to beat whipped cream.

Controversial topic

Blokhuis launched the plan back in December, but there were concerns from the government that the law was not detailed enough — such as how it will affect producers of nitrous oxide.
Ever since the plan’s technicalities were expanded, and consultations were also made with producers.

Do you think that laughing gas should be banned? Let us know what you think in the comments!

Feature Image: ProMo Cymru/Flickr 

Coronavirus update: concerns over a surge of cases during summer as 210 new cases are reported

Vlad Moca-Grama
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0
Coronavirus update: concerns over a surge of cases during summer as 210 new cases are reported

The RIVM has published the latest count of coronavirus cases in the Netherlands for today, June 12.

The newest count reveals an additional 210 cases of coronavirus in the country. Ever since the outbreak began in February, a total of 48,461 cases were reported.

Severe cases of coronavirus lead to five people ending up in the hospital, where they are attentively receiving medical care.

Unfortunately, the virus continues to cause casualties. Nine more people have passed away since the last count, and in the last four months, a total of 6,053 people have died.

The Dutch could face a surge in coronavirus cases — because they don’t follow the rules

The Dutch approach to the coronavirus crisis has been more relaxed than other countries. While initially it seemed to have paid off, as the reproduction rate (R) of the virus went under one, people have become more reckless when it comes to the rules.

As people are no longer sticking to the rules, the risk of the reproduction rate of the virus to increase has become a real threat. Especially with the summer and good weather, people are more likely to go out, and with the reopening of terraces, contact between people has also increased. Time will tell if we will see a surge of cases later this summer.

Follow DutchReview on Facebook for the latest coronavirus news in the Netherlands.

Feature Image: DutchReview/Canva

The end of HEMA? Dutch retail chain could face bankruptcy after Monday

Samantha Dixon 🇦🇺
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1
The end of HEMA? Dutch retail chain could face bankruptcy after Monday

We all love HEMA — but we could be seeing its final days. A loan of 50 million euros becomes due on Monday. If the holding company of the department store cannot pay it, creditors could file for bankruptcy. 

If you thought the famous Dutch tompouce-selling, flat-price setting, unpronounceable name-having store was invincible, you were (sadly) wrong. The Dutch retail business has been making a loss for years. Now, they’re 750 million in debt — that’s about 750 million one euro hotdogs — with tens of millions in interest accruing each year.

At the end of 2018, Dutch investor Marcel Boekhoorn took over HEMA from the British company Lion. He vowed at the time to reduce the debt burden — but has failed to keep the promise so far. His attempts to sell the HEMA bakeries have been unsuccessful, so cash has been limited, reports RTL Nieuws.

Boekhoorn is involved in a tough battle with the creditors of HEMA, who are primarily the holders of bond-loans. The creditors want to partially erase the debt, but become the owner of the company.

Will the Dutch government step in?

Reports emerged earlier this week that the Dutch government could provide a bailout to HEMA. It’s possible that the government could guarantee the repayment part of the loans. However, it’s unlikely. HEMA is not a company of national or strategic importance, no matter how iconic its stores are.

Of course, the Dutch government do have one reason to guarantee the payment: HEMA employs nearly ten thousand employees in the Netherlands. If HEMA could promise to maintain these jobs, the government may be willing to step in. But there are critics: why should taxpayers fund a company that is owned by one of the richest people in the Netherlands?

Can’t Boekhoorn just pay the 50 million on Monday?

While HEMA has 750 million in bonds outstanding, they only need to be paid by 2022 and 2023. But it’s HEMA’s holding company, PIK Notes, owned by holding company AMEH, that needs to pay the 50 million by Monday. Boekhoorn could technically step in, cough up the money, and pay the debt — but the future of HEMA is even more uncertain because of the coronavirus crisis.

READ MORE: HEMA is venturing to the US and Canada and will be known as “HEMA Amsterdam”

What happens if the debt isn’t paid on Monday?

If AMEH doesn’t pay off the loans, creditors could sue for bankruptcy of the whole company. While we are unsure whether that also means HEMA will go bankrupt, it is a possibility. “Although the PIK loan is outside HEMA, failure to meet the repayment obligation will also mean that HEMA will not meet its obligations,” investor service Moody’s warned in late March. It’s expected that PIK will try to postpone the repayment term — but who knows if it will work.

Do you think the Dutch government should guarantee the loan to keep HEMA operating? Tell us your thoughts in the comments!

Feature Image: HEMA

The Dutch could face a surge in coronavirus cases — because they don’t follow the rules

Samantha Dixon 🇦🇺
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0
The Dutch could face a surge in coronavirus cases — because they don’t follow the rules

The reproduction rate, which indicates how many people an infected person transmits the virus to, is on the rise.

The Netherlands took a comparably relaxed approach to lockdown: stores remained open, residents could exercise freely, in accordance with a set of social distancing rules. Now, as those rules begin to lift, the Dutch could be becoming all too comfortable.

But the lifting of the intelligent lockdown is not synonymous with the extinction of coronavirus. As people in the Netherlands make their way back into leisure shopping, restaurant-eating, and socialising, COVID-19 is growing — again.

READ MORE: Customers in supermarkets no longer respect coronavirus measures

The reproduction rate (R) at the start of the virus outbreak in March was around two, while the number of infections doubled every four days. During the lockdown, the R reduced to less than one. As the lockdown lifts, the reproduction rate is beginning to climb again.

Why is the R rising?

“People don’t stick to the basic rules,” explains RIVM’s Jacco Wallinga to Trouw. “I hope that we can get the R back under the source and contact research of the GGDs. If not, I will see the number of infections and hospital admissions increase again this summer. ”

The Dutch Cabinet has a red line. Their so-called ‘dashboard’ will flash red if more than ten people end up in the ICU for three days in a row, or if more than 40 people are hospitalized.

Wallinga explains that these indicators are already from the past because those in the ICU are infected two or three weeks earlier. But, he says that doesn’t have to be a problem — as long we continue to be careful.

“The number of infections is now low. Therefore, we can manage if the R is greater than one. But we saw in March that the spike in cases arrived after the lockdown had started. We cannot let such a revival take its course.”

Follow DutchReview on Facebook for more information about coronavirus in the Netherlands.

Feature Image: DutchReview/Canva

Warm weekend incoming: get your sunscreen out!

Vlad Moca-Grama
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0
Warm weekend incoming: get your sunscreen out!

This week brought with it some unexpected rain, after a long streak of sun throughout this spring.

Despite the greyness and rain of this week (to make us not forget that we still live in the Netherlands), this incoming weekend brings with it very warm temperatures, WeerPlaza reports.

On Friday, we’ll see temperatures of up to 26 degrees, with plenty of sun. Given that we live in the Netherlands, there will also be some cloud cover, but honestly, we’re not complaining after these past couple of rainy days.

The good weather will continue into Saturday, with a slightly cooler high of 24 degrees. Sunday will be warm still, around 18 to 20 degrees throughout the day. The perfect weather to go for a walk, or sit in a terrace at your favourite cafe, now that we can do that again.

The beginning of next week is, well, not that exciting, to be honest. We’ll see temperatures ranging between 15 and 20 degrees each day, with a chance of rain each day- though nothing too dramatic. The sun will peak through the clouds most days as well: never let it be said that the weather in the Netherlands isn’t variable.

So, what are your plans for the coming week? Beach time, or are you opting for reading a book all cozy inside?

Feature Image: Samantha Dixon/Supplied

Coronavirus update: vaccine fast-tracked as 164 test positive

Vlad Moca-Grama
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0
Coronavirus update: vaccine fast-tracked as 164 test positive

The RIVM has published the latest count of coronavirus cases in the Netherlands for today, June 11.

The newest count reveals that 164 new cases have been reported, after over a week of widespread testing. Since the outbreak began in the Netherlands in February, a total of 48,251 cases have been reported.

Severe cases of the virus continue to happen, with 3 people ending up in the hospital.

Unfortunately, 2 more people have passed away from the virus. The country overall has reached 6,044 deaths.

Dutch coronavirus vaccine fast-tracked to test on humans

In Leiden, Jannsen Vaccines have been working hard since the start of the outbreak to develop a coronavirus vaccine. After a period of testing that has proven promising, the company is now ready to test the vaccines on 1,045 healthy people from Belgium and the United States.

If the vaccine proves to be safe, does not affect the immune response and reacts well with the human body, the next stage of implementation will commence. If all goes according to plan, the company wishes to develop and export one billion vaccines by 2021.

Follow DutchReview on Facebook for the latest coronavirus news in the Netherlands.

Feature Image: DutchReview/Canva

Trial begins: Anne Faber was murdered because she called for help

Emma Brown
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Trial begins: Anne Faber was murdered because she called for help

The first day of the trial in Utrecht of Michael P. and the murder of Anne Faber began today. He is being put on trial for the murder and rape of Anne Faber, and for also abusing 5 employees in the Pieter Baan Center. Note: the next paragraph contains details discussed today at the trial and it is distressing.

Day 1 of the trial

Michael. P has today revealed on trial, that he murdered Anne Faber, after he raped her, because she called for help. He stated that it was not his original intention, but after the rape, when she saw a cyclist, she began calling for help. It ends in a struggle and in order to keep her quiet, he slashed her throat with a knife. He implies that it was not premeditated (something which the court is pressing for with a murder charge). He says that he was out of his mind, under the influence from around 1 – 15 pills of Ritalin which he snorted. However, he admits guilt and that it was his fault.

Today the court has been reconstructing every step of what happened. This includes Michael P. leaving the clinic to refuel his bike. He takes a knife, screwdrivers, pliers and a bolt with him, which he hides en route. He claims it’s for him to sell. This all contributed to the eventual murder of Anne Faber.

Attacked employees

Michael P. is also on trial today for attacking 5 employees. He is accused of beating up and biting a couple of security guards in February. This will also be taken into the trial and he will be sentenced for these also.

The controversy surrounding Michael P.

There has understandably been quite a lot of outrage about why Michael P. was allowed out of the building and was able to commit this offence. He was a previously convicted sex offender, with a violent background, therefore is deemed unsafe to the public. There has been a failure in the system for this horrific murder to occur. A lot needs to be done, in order to ensure that it can never happen again.

Arnhem and Nijmegen ban Zwarte Piet following anti-racism protests

Ailish Lalor
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1
Arnhem and Nijmegen ban Zwarte Piet following anti-racism protests

More Dutch cities are banning Zwarte Piet and blackface from their Sinterklaas celebrations this year. Arnhem and Nijmegen have both decided to join other cities in banning the racist caricature.

Both cities had large protests against racism and police brutality last week. Protests swept the Netherlands– and indeed, much of the world- following the death of George Floyd in May in the US. Floyd died after a police officer knelt on his neck for eight minutes.

In Arnhem, several parties banded together in the city council to reach a majority. They were able to ban “the racist caricature, Zwarte Piet”. According to the GroenLinks representative there, the recent protests have shown them how much anti-racist work needs to be done in the municipality. “The protests against racism have shown us that we still have many steps to take, this is just one.”

In Nijmegen, GroenLinks, PvdA and Partij voor de Dieren collaborated again to create a motion to ban Zwarte Piet. According to them, the anti-racism protests have shown that many people in the city find the caricature hurtful and racist. The municipality has decided that the Sinterklaas Intocht will not receive any funding if they have blackface characters involved in the celebration.

Mark Rutte has also changed his opinion on Zwarte Piet as a result of the protests, noting that institution racism is present and harmful in the Netherlands. Most municipalities are replacing Zwarte Piet with Sooty Piet.

Will more municipalities join in banning Zwarte Piet? Let us know your predictions in the comments below.

Feature Image: DutchReview/Canva

Dutch coronavirus vaccine fast-tracked to test on humans

Samantha Dixon 🇦🇺
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0
Dutch coronavirus vaccine fast-tracked to test on humans

A Leiden coronavirus vaccine has accelerated its testing timeline, with human trials now set to start from July. 

Janssen Vaccines sped up its testing process after initial animal testing results were promising. Virologist Hanneke Schuitemaker made the announcement during a webinar of parent company Johnson & Johnson yesterday.

“The tests showed that this vaccine produces antibodies that can attach to and neutralize the coronavirus,” Schuitemaker previously told NU.nl.

What comes next?

The next step is testing on 1,045 healthy people in Belgium and the United States. Success will depend on safety, the immune response, and how the body responds to the drug. The company is also hoping to start a testing round on a larger group of people earlier.

READ MORE: Six months: Dutch scientists say coronavirus treatment could be released this year

The company is poised to create a billion doses of the coronavirus vaccine by 2021 if the trials are successful.

Parent company Johnson & Johnson has received more than half a billion dollars from the US government to develop the vaccine. The Dutch government has not contributed but wants to facilitate development. Of course, if the vaccine proves successful it will be fairly shared between countries.

Follow DutchReview on Facebook for more information about coronavirus in the Netherlands.

Feature Image: DutchReview/Canva

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