Life after the coronavirus peak in the Netherlands has returned to about as normal as normal can be right now in an anderhalvemetersamenleving.
Sanquin, Plasma and the Coronavirus
On a personal note, we now have confirmation that we did indeed have the COVID-19 virus in the house between March and May.
Sanquin called my husband and asked him to get his butt in to give plasma as much as human possibly in the weeks following the call.
Since March Sanquin has been testing donated plasma for COVID-19 antibodies. They are researching coronavirus immunity and possible medicines.
Consequently, Sanquin is asking those testing positive to come in more often than normal to donate plasma. These are donors who have had the virus and subsequently recovered.
The organisation is collecting plasma in order to help patients with severe symptoms recover from the virus. It’s a race against the clock, because antibodies reduce significantly within 12 weeks.
So the good news: we now have confirmation that we have had the virus, fought it off (albeit after a couple of months and there are remnants of fatigue I notice) and we are back out in the world. The post- Coronavirus peak world in the Netherlands that is.
Want to Donate Blood or Plasma in the Netherlands?
Incidentally, if you want to be a blood or plasma donor then check out sanquin.nl. However, if you can answer yes to the following question your quest to donate stops before it begins (which is the case with yours truly):
“Ben je in de periode 1 januari 1980 tot en met 31 december 1996 in totaal zes maanden of langer in het Verenigd Koninkrijk geweest?” Translated this is: Have you been in the UK for 6 months or longer between 1 January 1980 and 31 December 1996?
It’s mad cow disease related. Which brings up many questions in my head about blood donations in the UK…… anyway, I digress.
Coronavirus Measures in the Netherlands – Theory v Reality
So, what does Dutch society look like right now when you are out and about? We are in the grips of an anderhalvemetersamenleving, that much is clear. The basisregels remain in force (wash your hands often, work from home whenever possible, avoid busy places).
Testing is available for everyone.
Face masks are obligatory on public transport.
But does the reality match the theory? I can obviously only speak for my neck of the woods, here in the Achterhoek. However, at times it’s easy to forget there are measure in place if I people watch here. People gravitate towards each other, and return easily to instinctive behaviour.
Shopping is notably not the same as it was though.
Primary Schools
Primary schools are back up and running at full capacity. There is a disinfectant station as you come in to my kids’ school. If my children are to be believed it is often empty or the queue is so long, the kids simply skip it. Parents are not allowed in school (we just had our tienminutengesprekken over the telephone). External teachers are back giving lessons. Gym lessons are back to normal. If you ask my two youngest, it’s school as normal.
Secondary Schools
Secondary schools are currently winding down. My eldest is done, with the exception of returning his books next week.
Everyone has to keep 1.5 meters apart. Classes are split into thirds. The kids stay in the same class and the teachers come to them. Gym lessons are outside, in regular clothes, non-contact and low impact to avoid sweating.
As it currently stands, life returns to normal in Dutch secondary schools when they go back for the new school year in September. Teachers will need to keep 1.5 meters away from the kids but the children themselves will no longer need to adhere to social distancing.
Shops
Shops provide disinfecting facilities (a spray and disposable paper towel) to clean baskets and trolleys.
In theory, the number of baskets/trolleys is the indicator of how many people are allowed in the store. If there are no baskets outside then you need to wait. However, this is assuming that people return said items to the correct place.
Most shops ask you to go in alone, or with a max of two people. 1.5 meter distancing is in force. Or at least, it is asked that you keep to it. The reality is people are all over the place, and all over each other. (I did my best not to lose it in the library with a woman hovering over me this week.)
There are a lot of Germans in our local shops. My thinking is that in Germany you must wear face masks in shops. But in the Netherlands you don’t. So, maybe Dutch shopping is easier? I don’t know.
Public Spaces – Indoors
If I am perfectly honest, I have lost the thread a bit with what the rules are about restaurants, cinemas and the like. There are limits on the amount of people allowed inside. It was 30 but is now 100 I believe. You don’t have to reserve anymore in theory. I think.
We have been out once to a restaurant since society reopened. We sat outside. Kept distance. Had a nice meal. End of.
For large spaces there is no maximum occupancy, but you do need to reserve.
Check out the Dutch government site for the most recent measures in place against the coronavirus in the Netherlands.
Public Spaces – Outdoors
We’re planning a zoo trip in the summer holidays. We needed to reserve a day. The rules state that if the foot traffic is constantly moving (like in a zoo) there is no maximum. However, we were still required to reserve a day. I think this is to do with the fact that you still need to keep 1.5 meters away from each other. So, in a roundabout way, there is a limit on visitors.
Impact of the Coronavirus in the Netherlands This Summer
If your summer plans have not been impacted by the coronavirus, then you are probably unique.
We were going to a wedding in England, followed by a few weeks up in Scotland. We are now heading to Drenthe for a week.
My general advice is check out the website of every place you plan to visit this summer before you go. Plan in advance. Reserve where necessary. Or you may be disappointed.
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