We know Dutchies love going on holiday — but now it’s been revealed that something like a global pandemic won’t put a damper on those plans. 

New data from NBTC-NIPO Research shows that 7.2 million Dutch people say they will still go on holiday this year. Last year, before the world grinded to a halt, 11.9 million Dutch people were planning a trip. 

Marieke Politiek, director of  NBTC-NIPO Research, isn’t surprised. “Holidays are very important for the Dutch,” says Politiek. “Although many holiday plans for the upcoming summer have been affected by the crisis, almost half of the cases involve postponement and not cancellation.

Where will the Dutch people go? 

Of the 7.2 million, five million are still pinning their hopes on going abroad. Meanwhile, 1.8 million plan to take a safer route and explore more of the Netherlands. The remainder aren’t sure yet where they will go. 

But, not everyone is packing their bags. The corona crisis has not only caused travel restrictions and flight cancellations, but a lot of uncertainty. “In many cases there is a desire to let the holiday continue at a later time,” says Politiek. 

In fact, three-quarters of the Dutch say that the corona crisis has had a major impact on summer holiday plans, particularly when it comes to travelling abroad. 

Will you take a holiday this summer? Why, or why not? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!

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At last night’s press conference, Health Minister de Jonge said that the government was aiming to be able to test anyone with coronavirus symptoms from 1 June onwards. That sounds good, but is it actually possible?

In order for normal life to resume, there needs to be aa vaccine. But living with coronavirus in the meantime necessitates a much higher testing capacity than the Netherlands has had until this point. If everyone with coronavirus symptoms would be tested, that would require 30,000 tests per day.

Testing has already increased fourfold in four weeks

According to coronavirus ambassador Feike Sijbesma, De Jonge’s target is ambitious but reachable, especially in light of the Netherlands’ recent increase in testing. “We had perhaps one of the most restrictive test policies in the world with less than 2000 a day five weeks ago. Now we’re at 8,000-9,000 a day. We scaled up by a factor of four in four weeks.”

Testing problems remain

There are still problems in the testing process, however. Although laboratories can generally process tests, there is a lack of testing materials. If that’s ironed out, one problem that remains is that some laboratories will be overworked, and others underworked, because of the uneven spread of the virus across the country.

Contact tracing will also be difficult

Another question that remains is whether the GGD can handle the contact tracing that would be required after someone tests positive— most crucially, whether they can do it quickly enough. Medical microbiologist Marc Bonten emphasised the importance of timing in an interview with NOS.

“If you map all contacts in one day, it is a very effective measure that can also prevent a lot of illness. But if it takes a few days, then some of those contacts may have become infected and maybe already spreading themselves. So if this strategy is chosen then a lot of capacity has to be added. And quickly.”

GGD should be able to increase capacity

But Sijbesma remains hopeful that it can be done. “You can do the math. If we are going to do 30,000 tests a day, and one in ten or twenty tests positive, so a few thousand people, the GGD has to check a few thousand people. The GGD indicates that it can add enough capacity to do this by June.”

Do you think the Dutch government will achieve its goal? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!

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This evening, Prime Minister Rutte gave a press conference in which the next stage of the Netherlands’ plan for relaxing social distancing rules was explained.

There was a whole lot of information in this one. We’ve grouped it per date, but it’s very important to note that only those set to occur on 11 May are for sure at this point. The other planned relaxations will only take place if the numbers of deaths, and hospitalisations, and the pressure on the healthcare system, remain low.

Minister de Jonge also said that we would not be rid of coronavirus until a vaccine was made available, so we have to work on living with the virus for the moment. It is crucial that everyone sticks to the rules.

We must get used to the new normal, and instead of using the slogan “Stay Home (Blijf Thus)”, the Dutch government will now use “Avoid Crowds (Vermijd Drukte)”.

The two things that need to be monitored as relaxations take place are the amount of people on the streets, and the pressure on the healthcare system.

11 May onwards

Primary schools will reopen.

All contact professions can also reopen. Customers don’t need to wear facemasks, but they do need to keep 1.5m from each other, which means that not all stools in the hairdressers can be used. Furthermore, hairdressers can only work with customers who have made an appointment, so that they can be asked in advance if they have symptoms connected to coronavirus.

Libraries may reopen.

Sports that are played outside and are non-contact can be played again by anyone, including adults.

Those with contact professions, teachers, and those who work with children can be tested.

18 May onwards

A few more groups will be test-able, such as police officers and public transport operators.

1 June onwards

Everyone can be tested.

On 1 June, public transport will resume its usual services, and wearing a facemask will be compulsory if you travel by bus, tram or train. These don’t need to be medical grade, because of course, ordering people to use surgical masks would create a shortage in the healthcare sector, where they are badly needed.

Terraces can reopen, but with a few conditions. Customers can reserve a table in advance, during which they will be asked if they have coronavirus symptoms (just like if you make an appointment at a hairdresser, for example).

High schools will reopen.

Museums can reopen. So can theatres, cinemas, and so forth, but with certain conditions: only 30 people are allowed in the same room, and they must keep 1.5m from each other.

15 June onwards

MBO education and MBO exams can start up again. A plan will be made to reopen other higher education institutions.

1 July onwards

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.

1 September onwards (hopefully)

All sports can happen and gyms can open again. The government is looking into whether gyms can be reopened sooner than this. Saunas and pools will also reopen.

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

You can follow DutchReview on Facebook for more updates on coronavirus in the Netherlands. 

Feature Image: Abuzer van Leeuwen/Supplied. 

From June 1, public transport will return to its normal schedule. However, there are conditions. Wearing a non-medical mask. Furthermore, it is expected that more measures will be relaxed in the coming weeks. 

According to NOS, this information will formally be announced to the public in the press conference taking place tonight.

The reason that transport companies have insisted upon this measure is because it is close to impossible to keep 1.5 meters of distance in busses and trains.

Measures to be relaxed gradually

Since March 16, the regular hours of public transport have diminished in order to adhere to the coronavirus measures in place. In theory, it is only individuals in crucial positions (healthcare) that should regularly be commuting.

However, as the number of coronavirus infections in the Netherlands are decreasing, the Cabinet aims to relax some of the measures in place so that society can return (at least slightly) to normal.

However, this will only be the case if coronavirus numbers do not flare up, and the virus continues to decline in the country.

The weeks ahead

The NOS reports that in the coming weeks, hairdressers will begin to open (starting May 11), as well as nail studios. Like other contact professions, these two will only be permitted if there is an appointment in place.

The customer must ensure that they are not infected with the virus.

Although face masks will not be mandatory in such facilities, the 1.5 meter rule must be adhered to. This might mean that businesses would need to reduce their normal quantity of customers.

Furthermore, non-contact sports such as tennis and golf will be permitted once more, though any matches or tournaments are still out of question.

Lastly (as was previously announced), primary schools are expected to open on Monday, while secondary schools will open their doors on June 2. Terraces may also open around then, with a maximum of 10 people permitted.

Do you think it’s too soon to start relaxing measures? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

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Tonight we will hear exactly what the new measures for coronavirus will be, and which one of them will be shortened.

If you are in desperately in need of haircuts, there’s some good news on the horizon, reports NOS.

Contact professions to open again after May 11

Hairdressers, as well as nail salons, will open next Monday, May 11. However, they will only offer services based on appointments. The client also needs to not have any coronavirus-related health complaints.

Face masks will not be mandatory in hair salons, yet social distancing measures still need to be respected. This will probably mean in practice that not all chairs in a hair salon can be occupied.

Non-contact sports

From May 11, non-contact sports like golf and tennis will be allowed to be practised and played again. However, organized events are probably still out of the question.

Primary schools will also open again the coming Monday. Secondary schools, on the other hand, are scheduled to be reopened on June 2. Terraces will also open around this time, with a limit of 10 people allowed to sit together.

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

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Last night, hundreds of drones staged a seven-minute show at the Erasmus Bridge in Rotterdam. In light of Liberation Day, they formed a red-white-and-blue heart, among other things.

The purpose of the performance was to give residents and healthcare workers in Rotterdam a little love (in the shape of a heart) and to reflect upon the 75 years of freedom in the Netherlands.

Boven #Rotterdam vlogen gisteravond 300 verlichte drones die een zwerm spreeuwen verbeeldden. Met dit symbool voor vrijheid en hoop staken Studio DRIFT en Mothership Rotterdammers een ♥️ onder de riem.

Meer info en terugkijken: https://t.co/jri010JyE5#RotterdamMakeItHappen pic.twitter.com/HnMG9jEQNy

— Rotterdam (@rotterdam) May 6, 2020

To top it off, piano music accompanied the flying objects.

Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management, Cora van Nieuwenhuizen was present at the event, partaking in the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate, which is responsible for overseeing the drones.

According to the Minister, the festivities should be repeated next year so that people can view them live. Furthermore, it is possible that this kind of light show may replace fireworks.

Did you see the light show in Rotterdam yesterday? Let us know in the comments.

Feature Image: Der Schmitzi/Wikimedia Commons

The RIVM has published the latest count of coronavirus cases in the Netherlands. As of today, there are now 232 more cases of coronavirus, bringing the total to 41,319.

When it comes to hospitalisations, 27 more patients ended up in the hospital, reaching a total of 11,153.Unfortunately, there have also been 36 more deaths since the last count, bringing the total to 5,204.

According to the RIVM, the numbers indicate that the measures in place are working.

Update 6 May (thread)

232 new confirmed cases (total: 41.319)
36 new fatalities (total: 5.204)
27 new hospitalisations (total: 11.153)

Map shows cases, hospitalisations and fatalities in nominal, per capita and growth figures.#coronakaart #coronavirusNL #COVID19NL pic.twitter.com/dAosqaRGyj

— TAG (@itsTAGofficial) May 6, 2020

Antibody trials in the Netherlands and Israel show progress

Two separate studies developed in the Netherlands and in Israel have successfully managed to treat coronavirus in a lab setting using antibodies.

The basis of the research was on antibodies previously used to treat the SARS virus during the outbreak in 2002-2004. While still in its early stages and not yet tested on humans, the scientists working on the project are optimistic about its prospects for treating the coronavirus.

Anti-lockdown protest in the Hague

Yesterday, the Hague was the scene for an anti-lockdown protest. The protest was unannounced, and while initially, it got the green light from the mayor to be allowed to continue, disobedience from the protesters led to the arrest of around 80 activists.

A similar unannounced protest also happened in the Hague last week, and it was dispersed by the police. Chalk messages with anti-lockdown messages appeared around the Hague, and there might be a connection between the messages and the recent incident with two broadcasting masts set on fire.

1.5 million faulty coronavirus tests sold by Dutch company

A Dutch biotechnology company named Inzek sold 1.5 million faulty coronavirus tests. The company initially claimed that the tests were made in the Netherlands, however that turned out to be false. Instead, the tests were made in China.

The company claimed that the tests can accurately verify within 10 minutes if someone has the coronavirus. Independent studies found that the tests are inaccurate and that they pose a “major public health hazard.”

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

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Scientists around the world are working round the clock to develop better treatment methods for coronavirus.

Some good news is coming from two separate studies from the Netherlands and Israel, which are dealing with antibody trials, The Guardian reports.

Coronavirus neutralized in a lab setting

A team of Dutch scientists successfully managed to neutralize the coronavirus in a lab setting. Israel has also announced that a state-run research centre has achieved similar results through the development of an antibody that neutralizes the virus within the bodies of patients.

So far, the antibody trials have not been tested on people. While these trials are in their initial stages, if they work out well, they will provide treatment in order to stop the development of the virus in the body.

Berend Jan Bosch from Utrecht University stated to The Guardian that “Such a neutralising antibody has potential to alter the course of infection in the infected host, support virus clearance or protect an uninfected individual that is exposed to the virus.”

The study was developed on the basis of antibodies used to treat the SARS outbreak from 2002-2004. One of the antibodies used then has also proven to be promising in treating COVID-19.

Cautious optimism

The discovery has been welcomed by the scientific community, albeit with a dose of cautiousness. Clinical lecturer from Warwick Medical School, James Gill, considers it a game-changing discovery, yet warned not to declare victory yet.

He stated to The Guardian that “simply because we have found an antibody which neutralises a virus in a group of cells in a lab Petri dish doesn’t mean that we can expect the same response in patients, nor expect to see a positive change in a patient’s clinical condition.”

Nevertheless, scientists are moving fast to patent the new antibody and to secure its mass-production.

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

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The current lockdown has attracted its share of criticism from people who do not agree with the measures.

Such was the case in the Hague yesterday, where an illegal protest against the lockdown led to 80 arrests, reports AD.

Not following measures

The protest was unannounced. However, it was allowed to take place, as long as the demonstrators kept a distance of five feet from each other and followed police orders. The protesters disregarded this advice, leading to their arrest, as well as forcing the mayor of the Hague to end the protest early.

Daar gaan ze. pic.twitter.com/CtsjrOJACt

— lex de jonge (@xxxxellll) May 5, 2020

The protesters were escorted to the Hague central station by the mounted police units. Some of them threw objects at the police horses.

In total, around 80 protesters were arrested, mostly for disobeying police orders. For example, one of the protesters was arrested after laying down in front of a police van.

The protesters were taken to the station on buses from the HTM, which ended up being quite crowded. The police stated that they tried their best to spread out the people. Still, this attracted criticism due to to the lack of space in the buses.

The mayor of the Hague, Johan Remkes, confirmed that protests are still allowed during this period of time, as long as rules are adhered to and there are no dangers to public health.

A similar protest last week

This isn’t the first anti-lockdown protest that took place. Last week there was another unannounced protest in the Hague, that was also dispersed by the police after it got out of hand.

The municipality insists that protests can take place, but they need to be announced beforehand and properly organised.

These protests seem to be part of a wider social phenomenon that also involves scepticism against 5G technology and its link to coronavirus.

Last night, slogans were written with chalk around the city, with messages such as “stay free,” “unlock now” and “vrijheid nu” (freedom now).

The slogans appeared a couple of days after two broadcasting masts caught on fire in the Hague, which police suspect are cases of arson. This wouldn’t be the first either, so far 25 broadcasting masts were set on fire in the Netherlands.

Anti-lockdown protest in Utrecht

A protest also occurred in Utrecht, under police supervision. The protesters drove through town in motorcycles, cars and vans. One of the protesters stated that they were to celebrate freedom and that they are against any lockdown measures.

Among the slogans, the protesters had there were anti-vaccination, anti-5G as well as anti-lockdown messages.

Do anti-lockdown protesters have a valid point to make? Share your thoughts on the matter in the comments below.

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Dutch biotechnology company, Inzek sold 1.5 million coronavirus tests. The company claimed that they were made in the Netherlands when in fact, they weren’t.  

The tests are meant to diagnose coronavirus and deal with the antibodies in the blood, but according to the European Commission Outbreak Management team, there are no reliable tests for antibodies that act that quickly.

Already, the coronavirus tests have been sold in over 20 countries (including the Netherlands) despite their unreliability. Inzek advertises the tests as Dutch product. However, Trouw, states that they were actually Chinese. The manufacturer produces a similar test in China called Alltest.

The company claimed that the tests promised ‘very accurate results’ within a matter of 10 minutes.

“Major public health hazard”

However, two independent studies reveal that the tests are most likely misdiagnosing people. According to Trouw, Marien de Jonge, a researcher at Radboud University medical Centre, calls the 10-minute guarantee misleading. De Jong stated that “unreliable tests are a major public health hazard.”

Interestingly, in 2017, the EU passed a law stating that tests (such as Inzek’s) would only be permitted in the market after strict controls were carried out. This law is now outdated, and a new one will only enter into force in 2022.

From that time onwards, the tests will probably be deemed to fall under the strictest category.

Follow DutchReview on Facebook for more on coronavirus as well as other Dutch-related news. 

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