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Coronavirus: Here’s what you can and can’t do from Monday in the Netherlands

Samantha Dixon 🇦🇺
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Coronavirus: Here’s what you can and can’t do from Monday in the Netherlands

Since the Dutch government announced over a month ago the gradual lifting of the lockdown measures, residents in the Netherlands have been waiting anxiously for June 1.

On Monday, sectors across the country will begin the ‘new normal’ in the biggest lifting of restrictions to date.

The basic measures will still apply: wash your hands, keep 1.5 metres distance from people outside your household, work from home as much as possible, and stay at home if you have symptoms.

This is what you can expect from June 1:

Cafes, bars, restaurants, and terraces reopen

While many dining and drinking areas converted to takeaway options in the months of lockdown, from Monday you can enjoy a meal in a restaurant, or a drink on a terrace again. However, it’s still subject to heavy restrictions:

  • Guests must remain 1.5 metres away from each other, even while seated unless they are from the same household.
  • A maximum of 30 people (including staff) are allowed in the building.
  • All guests must be able to sit at a table.
  • An employee will ask you a series of health questions.
  • Reservations are required, even to sit on a terrace.
  • Terraces have no maximum number of guests, as long as they can maintain the 1.5-metre distance between tables.
  • You can dine with one other person who is not from your household.

Additional information: Rijksoverheid

Public transport resumes normal schedule

Trains, buses, and trams will all resume their normal schedules from June 1 — but public transport companies strongly request passengers only use it for essential travel. And while face masks were encouraged in the past weeks, from Monday they will be mandatory — you will not be able to enter transport with one. The following requirements will be in place:

  • Mouth masks mandatory on all public transport for everyone over the age of 13.
    • You can be fined €95 if you do not wear a mask.
    • You are not required to wear the mask inside stations and on platforms.
  • Board buses by the back door to avoid contact with the driver. If you need a ticket purchase it beforehand at a service desk or shop. Otherwise travel with an OV chip card as much as possible.
  • Ticket checks will avoid hand-to-hand contact with inspectors. Instead, hold your own ticket/telephone in front of the ticket reader.
  • Travellers are requested to pay with pin cards for their tickets when purchasing at a service desk or shop. If necessary, cash is still accepted.

Additional information: 9292

Museums, cinemas, and theatres allowed to reopen

These venues will be permitted to open again from midday, June 1. In addition to social distancing measures, the following rules apply:

  • Museums: you must have a reservation in advance. Tickets can typically be booked online at the relevant museums website. The maximum number of people allowed inside is dependent on the individual venue.
  • Theatres, cinemas, concert halls: there is a maximum of 30 visitors in each location. Tickets must be booked in advance.
  • For both, an employee will ask you a series of health questions.

Additional information: Rijksoverheid

Testing opens to everyone with symptoms

A major criticism of the Dutch government has been the relaxed approach to testing. Only those with severe symptoms were tested, while healthcare employees could only begin testing earlier this month. However, from June 1 anyone with mild symptoms will be able to be tested. Here’s what you need to know:

  • Anyone with mild coronavirus symptoms, including loss of smell or taste, will be able to be tested.
  • Those wanting to be tested must phone a national hotline first to make an appointment.
  • Contact tracing will begin for positive tests.

Additional Information: Rijksoverheid

Outdoor sports activities for under 18s resume

Currently, only children aged 12 and under can take part in organized sports activities outdoors without keeping their distance. From Monday, those aged 13-18 will be able to recommence under the following restrictions:

  • They must under the supervision of sports clubs of professionals.
  • Competitions and matches are prohibited.

High schools reopen (from June 2)

Secondary students will be able to return to school from Tuesday under the following requirements:

  • The distance of 1.5 metres is maintained at all times between students and teaching staff.
  • Not all students will go to school each day.
  • Teachers schedules are designed to limit movement between classes as much as possible.
  • Students are encouraged not to use public transport, but bike or walk. Special arrangements are made for students who live more than eight kilometres from school.

Additional Information: Rijksoverheid

What are the next steps for the Netherlands?

If things go well, measures will continue to relax. The current government roadmap specifies the following:

From July 1:

  • Group activities with up to 100 people can take place. These include weddings, funerals, and so forth.
  • Camping sites can reopen, and communal showers and toilets can be used again.
  • Gyms, fitness centres, saunas, spas, clubhouses, casinos, and amusement arcades can reopen.

From September 1:

  • A decision will be made about whether festivals and other public gatherings can continue on this date.

Are you looking forward to the lifting of measures? Tell us in the comments below!

Feature Image: Artem Beliaikin/Pexels

Cases of coronavirus emerge once more in a meat processing plant

Vlad Moca-Grama
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0
Cases of coronavirus emerge once more in a meat processing plant

This week, several slaughterhouses in the Netherlands had to close due to coronavirus infections or for disrespecting social distancing measures.

The newest situation concerns a slaughterhouse that will close because of coronavirus infections.The plant, called Van Rooi Meat,  is in Helmond and will have to close its door until next Tuesday, reports NOS.

21 employees tested positive

Around 10% of all employees of the plant were tested. 130 employees were tested in total, and out of them, 21 tested positive.

Testing was conducted after some employees of the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority and the Animal Sector Quality Inspection tested positive for coronavirus. The same employees visited Van Rooi meat last week.

Van Rooi employees who tested positive will be required to undertake a two-week quarantine with their housemates in a provided hotel.

Hotbed for infection

The results of the tests indicate that the Van Rooi meat plant is a potential hotbed for infection given its close quarters and work will only be resumed once its safe for the employees to do so. The Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority and the Animal Sector Quality Inspection will also not let employees work in the coming days.

Throughout this week, there have been similar situations in slaughterhouses in Groenlo and Apeldoorn, with plants owned by the company Vion. In Groenlo, an outbreak occurred, while in Apeldoorn police had to intervene as employees were being transported to the slaughterhouse in vans, breaking social distancing measures.

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

Feature Image: U.S. Department of Agriculture/Flickr/Public Domain

 

Crime operations in full swing: man shot dead in Rotterdam, and drug lab found in Brabant

Samantha Dixon 🇦🇺
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0
Crime operations in full swing: man shot dead in Rotterdam, and drug lab found in Brabant

While the majority of the Dutch population has been working from home, the back streets of crime continue to function. A man in Rotterdam was shot dead in the early hours of this morning, while police discovered a drug lab in Brabant last night. 

The suspected murder took place around 7 a.m. this morning in a paved front yard. Police said that it appeared to be a crime-related murder, reports NOS. The crime took place in the IJsselmonde district, in the south of the city.

The police received phone calls about the event at the time of the shooting. Two vehicles were involved, and one was driven away. However, in some fast-acting police work, two suspects have been arrested. They were attempting to escape near De Kuip Stadium — but were arrested instead.

Drug lab discovered in Brabant

Meanwhile, police have arrested a further six people after discovering a drug lab in Vorstenbosch, Brabant last night. Police said the lab was in operation and was producing synthetic drugs. One person was arrested directly inside the lab, reports Omroep Brabant, while the other arrests were outside.

A police spokesman warned that despite the lab being in a rural area, it could have been very dangerous. “It may not have been in the middle of a residential area, but due to the presence of toxic substances and the possible risk of explosion, it is always dangerous.”

Police targeted the Kampweg location after they “received information.” Now, The National Dismantling Facility will research the lab’s systems, and deconstruct the operation.

Follow DutchReview on Facebook for more daily news about the Netherlands.

Feature Image: Politie Brabant/Twitter

Coronavirus update: Dutch cases grow as free testing prepares to ramp up

Vlad Moca-Grama
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0
Coronavirus update: Dutch cases grow as free testing prepares to ramp up

The latest figures of coronavirus in the Netherlands show that cases are still increasing — although at a slower rate. 

In today’s count by RIVM, it’s been revealed that there are 182 more cases of coronavirus in the Netherlands. Ever since the outbreak started back in February, there’s been a total of 45,950 cases.

Severe cases of coronavirus sadly still occur. In the past 24-hours, 16 people have ended up in the hospital and are now receiving treatment.

Unfortunately, the virus has claimed the life of 32 people since yesterday’s count. Throughout the country, 5,903 people have succumbed to the virus since the pandemic began.

The country is about to go through an important step of reopening on June 1. Nevertheless, the Netherlands cannot underestimate the impact of coronavirus. If people don’t continue to follow social distancing measures, a second wave could be imminent.

Will the Dutch be able to go on holiday this year?

With summer around the corner, many people are wondering if they’ll still be able to soak up the sun outside the Netherlands.

Prime-Minister Mark Rutte has urged people to postpone their holidays, but plans are being made to draft up a list of potential travel destinations, as well as no-go areas. It’s relatively certain that the Dutch will be able to travel to places that have a comparable coronavirus situation to the Netherlands.

It’s happening! Free coronavirus testing for all after June 1

Finally, after weeks in which testing for people with mild complaints was a long ordeal, we will now finally have more accessible testing.

There will be 80 testing facilities across the country, with options to expand if necessary. Those who have mild symptoms can report to the GGD (Municipal Health Organisation) and they will be able to get a test within 24-hours. Afterwards, they’ll be able to find within 48-hours the results. Thankfully, the tests will also be free of charge.

Dutch bars and restaurants make room for social-distancing life by spilling onto streets

Eating a lekker meal on a sidewalk, square, road, or parking space will become a possibility — nee, a norm — as municipalities grant restaurants and bars more space to, well, create more space.

When catering facilities reopen on Monday, they need to be able to keep customers and staff one and a half metres away from each other to comply with social distancing rules. Of course, in the Netherlands space is scarce, so that’s not an easy directive. Luckily, many municipalities are taking to steps to take over other public spaces, so restaurants and bars can still operate.

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

Feature Image: DutchReview/Canva

Dutch bars and restaurants make room for social-distancing life by spilling onto streets

Samantha Dixon 🇦🇺
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0
Dutch bars and restaurants make room for social-distancing life by spilling onto streets

Restaurants and bars across the Netherlands are rushing to get ready for June 1, when they can reopen — while complying with social distancing measures. While the clock is ticking, some Dutch municipalities are making it a little bit easier.  

Eating a lekker meal on a sidewalk, square, road, or parking space will become a possibility — nee, a norm — as municipalities grant restaurants and bars more space to, well, create more space.

When catering facilities reopen on Monday, they need to be able to keep customers and staff one and a half metres away from each other to comply with social distancing rules. Of course, in the Netherlands space is scarce, so that’s not an easy directive.

Utrecht underway

Utrecht has been preparing for the changes for weeks, with a test setup in Neude considered ready to go. The municipality has strict conditions, such as only allowing restaurants and bars who previously has a terrace to expand.

Additionally, establishments can’t take advantage of the rules to have more seats than before — rather, the seating areas can only be expanded to be as close as possible to the original number of seats, while still taking into account social distancing rules.

Amsterdam has a plan

But, the latest announcements from some Randstad cities will ease the pain. In Amsterdam, mayor Femke Halsema explains sidewalks, squares and parking spaces can host restaurant facilities for a limited period of time.

“We have said that joint initiatives by entrepreneurs are given priority, and we hope that this will reduce mutual competition,” says Halsema.

She’s urging Amsterdammers to be responsible with distance, but admits she’s looking forward to enjoying a glass of wine on a terrace.

– 1,5 M afstand – Met de naderende maatregelingen is Nicolette van Dam ons al voor gegaan. Zij geeft even een masterclass serveren! Wij hebben er al zin in!

Geplaatst door Lunchrestaurant Hofje zonder Zorgen op Donderdag 16 april 2020

Rotterdam gives a damn

In the port city of Rotterdam, De Witte de Withstraat will temporarily say doei to cars and welkom to terraces. Nearby restaurants will take over the sidewalks, while pedestrians will walk on the now car-free road. 

It’s actually a plan that has been considered for years — but coronavirus has made it necessary for the small businesses to survive.

But it’s not just De Witte de Withstraat in Rotterdam. The municipality has also announced that Schouwburgplein, Boulevard Nesselande, Middellandplein and Binnenrotte will all become new temporary terrace squares.

Is your city also making space for restaurants and bars? Tell us in the comments below!

Feature Image: Kaboompics.com/Pexels

It’s happening! Free coronavirus testing for all after June 1 explained

Vlad Moca-Grama
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0
It’s happening! Free coronavirus testing for all after June 1 explained

After weeks of potentially sick people being rejected from coronavirus testing, the Netherlands will finally begin widespread testing from June 1. 

Starting from next Monday, everyone with mild complaints will be able to get a test. Anyone will be able to call a specialized phone line and make an appointment with the GGD, with the goal being to get tested within 24 hours. And, we’ll all be happy to know that testing will be completely free.

80 locations for testing

Throughout the Netherlands, there will be 80 different locations where people will be able to get a test. The government has a plan to create even more testing sites if the demand is high.

Those who are tested should get the results back within 48 hours and if you test positive, the GGD will then start contact and source research.

What is contact and source research?

Essentially, the GGD will be looking into who an infected person was in contact with in the last 24 hours. There are three different groups of people that get contacted by the GGD if someone tests positive:

  • Housemates: If they live with other people, they need to go into home quarantine for 14 days. They will also be monitored for signs of contagion.
  • Close contacts: People who have been within 1.5 metres from the infected person for more than 15 minutes will also be asked to stay at home. This also includes potential partners you’ve kissed or someone you might’ve coughed close to.
  • Non-close contacts: People who have have been in the same room with you for 15 minutes, such as work colleagues or classmates are asked to stay alert in regards to their symptoms. But, they do not have to go into quarantine.

New testing capacity

In recent weeks, there was an average of 4000 tests conducted daily, with around 5% of people testing positive. The number of tests will increase greatly in the near future.

Testing laboratories can already conduct 17,500 tests per day. At the start of June, that capacity will increase to around 30,000 daily tests. The GGD expects to see around 2% of people testing positive or around 600 people per day.

Initial problems with testing to be expected

Dutch Health Minister, Hugo De Jonge, confirms that there will be initial start-up problems, given the complicated logistics involved. Nevertheless, he is confident in the GGD’s ability to expand its testing capacity.

Director of Public Health, Sjaak de Gouw of GGD (Municipal Health Service) has also warned that there will be initial setbacks and that the task at hand is complex. He said that “it may take longer to make an appointment and get tested in the beginning. But we make sure that anyone with complaints related to the coronavirus is helped as quickly as possible.”

Are you looking forward to being able to be tested if necessary? Let us know in the comments!

Feature Image: Abuzer Van Leuuwen/Supplied

Rotterdam experiments with making even MORE space for bikes

Samantha Dixon 🇦🇺
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0
Rotterdam experiments with making even MORE space for bikes

We all know the Netherlands is an indisputable cyclist paradise — and now they’re upping the ante. Rotterdam is making the most of the coronavirus crisis by widening bike lanes and sidewalks as part of their Rotterdam Mobility Approach.

Have you pulled up to a traffic light on your trusty fiets only to find there’s no space to keep your distance? We’ve all had the experience over the past few months, resulting in a lot of angry side-eyes to warn people not to breathe too heavily.

But Rotterdam is taking steps to reduce that problem and make sure cyclists can keep their distance. The broader roads will allow cyclists and pedestrians to comply with the one and a half meter rule. This will hopefully assist in reducing the spread of coronavirus.

What are the changes?

The additional space will be tested around the Erasmus Bridge in Rotterdam, says the municipality. The number of lanes for cars will be reduced to make way for bikes and pedestrians. If you’re keeping count, that’s one point for bikes — and zero for cars.

On the south side of the bridge, a right-hand lane will be closed to cars on the Erasmus Bridge, Posthumalaan and Wilhelminakade. This will give cyclists more space to wait at traffic lights. On the northern side, one lane on the Schiedamsedijk will disappear to make space.

Of course, cars aren’t left entirely in the dust — two lanes for cars will remain available to cross the bridge.

It follows an experiment that began earlier this year to reduce traffic through the Oude Westen by closing off at Kruisplein and Eendrachtsplein.

What other changes will come later?

Authorities will be testing and monitoring the traffic changes. As part of the Rotterdam Mobility Approach, an experiment around the Maas Tunnel will be conducted later to improve the air quality in the area. From next year, another experiment with a safer school environment will begin.

Do you want to see more of these initiatives in the Netherlands? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!

Feature Image: Pixabay/Pexels

Will the Dutch be able to go on holiday this year?

Vlad Moca-Grama
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0
Will the Dutch be able to go on holiday this year?

As summer is quickly approaching, many people are curious if they can take advantage of the beautiful weather and go on the vacations they’ve always done in past years.

The Dutch government is hard at work in order to determine the status of summer holidays for this year, NOS reports.

Postponing holidays might be the best option according to prime-minister Rutte

Mark Rutte’s advice so far on summer holidays is to postpone them as much as possible. The government will have a crisis meeting next week in order to determine exactly what should be done about the summer holidays. Mark Rutte hopes to announce a list of countries where it’s best not to go due to the severity of the coronavirus there.

In any case, the Dutch will probably only be able to travel to the countries that have a similar level when it comes to their approach to the coronavirus. As for visitors to the Netherlands, they will also need to follow the guidelines here when they visit.

A joint approach to holidays by the governments of countries

One of the favourite travel destinations of the Dutch is France, which is also undergoing a transition phrase to reopen, reports RTL Nieuws.

However, it is far from certain when and where could Dutch people travel to in France this summer. The French Ministry of Tourism urged for a common approach by European countries in order to determine how summer plans should go.

So far there are many differences between how European countries are approaching this issue. For example, the border between Germany and the Netherlands is open, while it’s closed between Germany and France. Tourists going to Spain and the UK need to enter a mandatory 14-day quarantine period, while visitors to the Netherlands don’t have to.

The next deadline on the horizon for measures throughout Europe is June 15, so hopefully, there’ll be more clarity on the situation by then.

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

Feature Image: Carlos Andres Rivera Castillo/Pexels

Rutte: Gyms, saunas, casinos and sports canteens may already open up on July 1

Abuzer van Leeuwen 🇳🇱
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Rutte: Gyms, saunas, casinos and sports canteens may already open up on July 1
Good news for all the fitness folks and gamblers: gyms, saunas, casinos and sports canteens may already open on July 1 said Rutte this evening. This was decided in the corona crisis meeting of the cabinet which took place this afternoon.
“But only IF it turns out that it is really possible by then,” said a stern Prime Minister Rutte told press after the meeting.

This means that the spread of the virus should not have increased too much. “A really big profit warning,” said Rutte. “Whether it is possible depends on how we stick to the rules and behave” It will then be announced a week before July 1 whether the relaxation will actually continue.

Requirements for gyms to open up

Gyms must meet certain requirements in order to actually open up. For example, they must ensure good ventilation, supervise compliance with the hygiene rules and they must perform a health check in advance on people who want to come and work out.

The opening of gyms was previously planned for the September 1. Many gym owners have recently said that they found that date far too late. The experts from the Outbreak Management Team did not come to a piece of advice to the cabinet about the gyms, because too much is still unclear about the distribution of sweat droplets and ventilation and such, nonetheless, the cabinet has decided.

Next week the cabinet will talk about the vacation period and if people can travel abroad and if yes, to which countries.

Is this going to work out? Are you going to work out? Drop a comment and follow DutchReview on Facebook for more updates on coronavirus in the Netherlands. 

Feature Image: Still of May press conference

Coronavirus update: 190 extra cases, RIVM reveals 2.8% of childcare and education employees tested positive in initial tests

Vlad Moca-Grama
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0
Coronavirus update: 190 extra cases, RIVM reveals 2.8% of childcare and education employees tested positive in initial tests

The RIVM has published the latest count of coronavirus cases in the Netherlands for today, May 27.

The number of cases continues to grow. Today’s count reveals an additional 190 cases of coronavirus. Ever since the outbreak started in February, there’s been 45,678 cases throughout the country.

Severe cases of the coronavirus lead to seven people being admitted to the hospital.

Unfortunately, since the last count, the coronavirus has claimed the lives of 15 more people, making a total of 5,871 deaths from the virus in the Netherlands.

Even as the Netherlands slowly reopens and while we all wish to get back to normal, it’s important that we still respect the necessary social distancing measures to avoid a second wave of coronavirus appears and all the progress is undone.

Almost 3% of education and childcare employees test positive

The RIVM has revealed that 2.8% of employees with health complaints in primary education and childcare have tested positive for the virus, out of a total of 2100 initial tests. These results come after “street tests” were introduced on May 6, allowing employees working in primary education and childcare to get easily tested at their local hospitals. In the period May 6 to May 25, 99 employees in primary education and childcare tested positive of coronavirus, while one of them had to be hospitalized.

Air France-KLM CEO gets €798K bonus as the Netherlands gives airline €4 billion bailout

Yes, airlines have been gravely impacted by the coronavirus crisis. But they are simultaneously the same companies that will make you pay extra if your luggage exceeds 500 grams over the limit.

The CEO of Air France-KLM, Ben Smith, is snatching up his 798K euro bonus either way, despite the company receiving a bailout from two different governments. His reasoning for receiving the bonus is that he worked hard in 2019 and is therefore deserving of it.

The Dutch government voted against him receiving the bonus, but unfortunately, as the country has a small shareholding in the company, the vote did not pass and he will receive his bonus.

Behind the scenes, work to reopen tourism industry

NOS reports that work is being done by six different ministries to develop a tourism protocol. The tourism industry is strongly affected by the coronavirus crisis.

The consultations with the ministries want to figure out how best to safely reopen the tourism industry. From what is known so far, tourism might reopen for countries that have a similar amount of cases to the Netherlands as well as similar measures. Neighbouring countries will also get easier access as tourists to the Netherlands.

Follow DutchReview on Facebook for all coronavirus-related news in the Netherlands.

Feature Image: DutchReview/Canva

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