Coronavirus/CoVid19/Health

Coronavirus in The Netherlands — Update 22 and 23 March 2020

Last weekend was a little bit hectic, but I still want to update you about the Coronacrisis in The Netherlands. It is a huge pandemic with so many consequences. It is a crisis, and we have to get through this, but still, it is hard to get through it. And yet, we still have to adjust to the new situations. Sometimes it is difficult and also for my children, it is too much sometimes

Update — 22 March 2020:

This morning I woke up after I couldn’t sleep well. I was thinking about the virus. I dreamt that the virus pulled down in front of my face hanging on a line. Walking events canceled yesterday that will take place in April/May for every school. Weddings took place last Saturday. Beach Noordwijk parking lot is closed. People are not allowed to go to the beach. Police took action to close highways between Belgium and The Netherlands. Famous people tell through social media that the citizens must stay home and only go outside for doing the groceries.

Update — 23 March 2020

From big cities

Amsterdam has some extra rules for the markets as there are too many people. Nodbioy takes the distance we actually should talk about.

“We are taking additional measures against the crowds in markets. Markets are important for the food supply of residents, but can only remain open if visitors keep 1.5 meters distance from each other. The stalls must be spread across the market, making it possible to spread the crowds and to keep a distance of 1.5 meters between the people on the market. Food freshly prepared for consumption should not be consumed on-site. Only take-away is allowed. Sitting or standing options and other displays outside the market stall is not permitted.”, the website of Amsterdam.

Here are the rules for the markets in Amsterdam:

1. The market stand must be all over the market to spread the busiest places as it must be 1,5-metre distance.
2. When there is less space than 1,5-meter distance then the non-food stands will be closed.
3. When fresh food is prepared you may not eat that at the moment you are there but you have to take it home.
4. There will be no stand- and sitting places opportunities anymore.
5. Empty market places are not allowed to give away to someone who comes in the morning to hope if there will be a spot open for him or her.
6. There will be warning signs to have 1,5-meter distance as well as all the other conditions.
7. The borough will look after each one of the conditions with this order.
8. The chairman of the safety board in the area is allowed to cancel the decision at any time or may change the decision when there will be a case for it.

Zandvoort and Bloemendaar will close their beach parking lots. Trying to keep away the visitors.

People have been asked to keep up the rules in Rotterdam at their beach Hoek van Holland. The Mayor of Rotterdam says we have to keep the 1,5-meter distance and we have to keep up the rules and just stay inside.

Taxes for water

The companies who need to pay water taxes may pay those at a later time for those who can’t do it now. So these companies get a little bit of space in their finance.

No new rules

Last Sunday there were no new rules expected. Later yesterday there were new rules as people couldn’t keep up the rules were told before. There was a press conference yesterday evening.

Phone alert

Last Sunday at 12 o’clock precisely, all Dutch citizens got an alert on our phones to stay the 1,5-meter distance and when you have a cold you have to stay inside and you are not allowed to go outside. It is called an ‘NL alert’ brought to your phone by the government.

Being in nature

Nature organizations warn that nature areas are full everywhere and that we can’t have the 1,5-meter distance if we keep doing that (going outside). People don’t take responsibility.

Other help is welcome

Tropical doctors from The Netherlands will help to get fewer coronavirus cases or help at the hospitals in The North-Brabant. Their tasks will be to coordinate, evaluate, organize or decide if patients need to be in the hospital or not.

From organizations

Again the Dutch Railway company asks people only to travel when you have to. It is not allowed to travel for a day out.

The Dutch Sport Committee wants the Olympics must be postponed until 2021. As well as the most Olympic Committees.

The Dutch Red Cross gets thousands of protecting gear and other medical supplies, about 125.000 masks, 36.000 protecting glasses and 500 liters of disinfecting stuff.

The Coronavaccin from Leiden will be tested abroad. The rules in The Netherlands are too strict. The company — Johnson & Johnson — are afraid that every test will be delayed by the strict rules. The company thinks about testing it in the USA or UK.

Taxi companies in Breda are giving health carers free rides to their working place, as they don’t have any work at the moment.

There is a rule that the elderly may do their groceries between 7–8 am as they are a risk group. The organization — who will be there for elderly people -) is afraid that this rule stigmatizes the group and giving that less freedom.

Political student organizations want a delay in paying their student loan.

Dutch people abroad

Probably there will be Dutch people going back from Costa Luminosa. Also, other Dutch travelers who are still abroad getting help to get back to The Netherlands.

New numbers 23 March 2020

In — again — 24 hours there were 545 people tested positive. There are 213 deaths. The ages of the deaths are between 55–97 years old. Totally we have 4749 people with Coronavirus. It is possible that there will be more cases as there is no more capacity for testing more people.

New rules — 23 March 2020

23 March 2020: the government announced new rules as people don’t keep up those rules.

Here are the new rules in The Netherlands:

1. All gatherings are not allowed, until the 1st of June. Even less than 100 people.
2. You have to pay for not keeping the distance of 1,5 meter, that could be €4000,- for companies and €400,- for citizens.
3. Fever? All family members stay home, except people with crucial jobs to help those fighting against the virus.
4. Stay home. Go outside when it’s necessary; grocery shopping, helping others or when you can’t work from home.
5. You may walk, only with one person, but not with a group. Not even with your family members. Children may play outside. Always keep the 1,5-metre distance.
6. You may get visitors: 3 persons per time. Birthday parties aren’t allowed.
7. Grocery stores and bus- and train companies must set up rules, so people need to keep up the distance of 1,5-meters. Think about policies to allow a certain amount of people at grocery stores, as well as holiday parks.
8. People with ‘contact jobs’, such as hairdressers and nail and beauty salons must close their doors until April 6th.
9. Mayors are allowed to point areas where you may not allow to come in groups. Such as parks, beaches, etc…
10. Parks, beaches, and camping may get closed when people do not keep the rules of the government.

School exams

School exams are still continuing, but with the right distances and students getting in school with a smaller group of people. “It looks like a military operation.”, said a director of a high school.

Supermarkets

Supermarkets get more income since the Coronavirus pandemic. It’s more than weeks before Christmas.

Dutch comedian

Dutch comedian — You van ‘t Hek — had the Coronavirus last week and he was in the hospital. Now he is much better and may go home to get well.

More stories about Coronavirus:

Read my thoughts

Agnes Laurens is a writer. She writes for the local newspaper. Agnes lives in Bunnik, The Netherlands, with her husband and three daughters. Writing is — aside from playing the violin — one of her passions since childhood. She is on Twitter and Instagram.

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