Lockdown measures tightened including curfewAnne Nygard
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Lockdown measures tightened including curfew

On the evening of  Wednesday 20 January, prime minister Mark Rutte and minister Hugo de Jonge announced that lockdown measures have to be tightened in response to concerns about new variants of the coronavirus. The previous announcement on…
dutch cabinet resignation
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Dutch government resigns: what are the consequences for the corona crisis?

The Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte’s government resigned on Friday 15 January over a scandal in which thousands of parents were falsely accused of child benefit fraud between 2013 and 2019. Ministers will stay on in a caretaker capacity…
Netherlands to remain in lockdown until at least 9 February inclusiveMartin Sanchez on Unsplash
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Dutch lockdown continues until at least 9 February

On the evening of Tuesday 12 January, prime minister Mark Rutte and minister Hugo de Jonge announced that the measures to contain the spread of the coronavirus would be extended for a further 3 weeks. The previous announcement in December…
baby feetroyalty free (reuse possible without attribution)
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Freebies for newborns in the Netherlands

When your new baby is delivered, this will undoubtedly be the best present ever. Though, did you know that you can get other deliveries – for free – for when you bring your newborn home, if you know where to look? Read on to know what surprises…
Oliebollen, a Dutch New Year's tradition
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Oliebollen, a Dutch New Year's tradition

It is a Dutch tradition to eat 'oliebollen' on New Year's Day. What's that, what's their origin, where to buy the best ones and how to bake them? Here we go... Oliebollen? Oliebollen are a traditional Dutch delicacy eaten during winter.…
festive food sparklesroyalty free (reuse possible without attribution)
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Festive food deliveries in Haarlem: order a tasty New Year treat!

The period between Christmas and New Year can be a hazy, lazy time and it is understandable if you don’t fancy cooking for yourself. After such a hard time for the horeca industry, it can be a good idea to support our favourite restaurants…
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A festive Dutch lesson for Christmas lovers

Ho, ho, ho! Christmas is here! The – normally – most wonderful time of the year is definitely going to be somewhat different this year, and maybe even difficult for some of us, so we thought it would be a good idea to try to raise everyone’s…
upside-down reflection
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Can we really compare our cultures?

Across the globe, ways of life differ immeasurably – yet people are people. They will always compare – and, generally, they will always like to complain (at least a little bit). So, it might be only natural that when you experience a new…
YouTube gives visitors the option to see less alcohol and gambling adscottonbro via Pexels
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YouTube gives visitors the option to see less alcohol and gambling ads

YouTube will give visitors to the video site the option to see fewer alcohol and gambling ads, the company announced on its blog. The option is expected to be available globally in Google Account Settings in early 2021. Alcohol and gambling…
rise in corona cases december 2020
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8894 new infections yesterday, 1600 more than the weekly average

A total of 8894 new confirmed coronavirus infections were reported to the RIVM as of Friday morning on 11 December, which is 120 more than the previous day. The weekly average is 7264. The number of infections has increased rapidly over the…
An interview with Sinterklaas (Photo: Rodi)
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An interview with Sinterklaas

The Shallow Man recently had the dubious honor of interviewing the world’s angriest not black man, Zwarte Piet. Like many of his supporters, I found him to be very emotional, irrational and downright aggressive. There were a number of questions…
Dutch Language exercise: Sinterklaas & Zwarte Piet

Dutch Language exercise: Sinterklaas & Zwarte Piet

Dutch Language exercise: choose the correct answer for each of the gaps. Sinterklaas woont in Spanje en Zwarte Piet is zijn helper. De Sint is een oude plan man maan baan met een lange witte baard. Hij heeft een mijter op zijn hoofd…
Sinterklaas
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Sinterklaas versus Santa Claus

They both work in the same sector, wear red, and have a big white beard. For Piet's sake: what's the difference?  The Big Day Sinterklaas: Sinterklaas' "heerlijk avondje" / delicious is 5 December, although Sint arrives with a steamer…
From December 1, face masks compulsory in all indoor public places in the NetherlandsUnsplash
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From 1 December, face masks compulsory in all indoor public places in the Netherlands

To reduce the spread of the coronavirus, it is compulsory to wear a face mask in all public indoor spaces for everyone aged 13 and older from Tuesday 1 December. Anyone not wearing a mask can be fined €95. The new law provides a legal…
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Choosing a primary school in Haarlem

The process of picking the perfect primary school starts a long time before your child actually heads off for their first day. In the Netherlands, kids start school shortly after turning 4-years old and the application deadline will be 12 months…
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Dutch coronavirus response: survey for internationals

A new survey aimed at internationals living in the Netherlands about how the coronavirus pandemic is impacting their daily lives has been issued by ICAP, the International Community Advisory Panel – which is an initiative put together by four…
Sint Maarten 2020 in HaarlemSven Brandsma
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Sint Maarten 2020 in Haarlem

Every year, children sing songs at the door during Sint Maarten on 11 November. This could increase the chance of coronavirus spreading, though the chances are reduced when everyone is careful and follows the guidelines. The celebration can…
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House hunting tips: buying a home in Haarlem

Buying a home in Haarlem can be exciting but also incredibly stressful. Transitioning from ‘huur’ to ‘koop’ on the Funda.nl search map is a big thing – and then you have to dive into the whole buying process. There are certainly a…
Dutch unemployment rate slightly decreased in September, but more jobs will goOlia Danilevich
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Dutch unemployment rate dips in September, but more jobs could go

Despite the economic impact of coronavirus, the official Dutch unemployment rate fell from 4.6% to 4.4% between August and September, national statistics office CBS published this October. CBS makes known that in total, a further 2000…
Cabinet tightens up measuresMarkus Winkler
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Cabinet tightens up measures to tackle coronavirus

On the evening of 3 November, prime minister Mark Rutte and minister Hugo de Jonge announced new measures to contain the spread of the coronavirus. In addition to extending the current measures, part of the package of new measures…
Haarlem churchroyalty free (reuse possible without attribution)
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November happenings for Haarlem's 775 years

This month our November events are fully focused on the fantastic occasion of Haarlem celebrating being a city for 775 years! Haarlem’s calendar for November has at its heart the fact that the city has a big birthday happening this month!…
Haarlem corona numbers 21-27 oct
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Coronavirus in Haarlem: latest numbers from the RIVM

The total number of Haarlem residents that tested positive for coronavirus over the last week was 553. The figures were announced in the new weekly update from the RIVM. A total of 67,542 Dutch people received confirmation that they are infected…
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Kids who give a helping hand to be honoured: call for nominations!

Haarlem’s very own children’s mayor, Quinten de Lange, is calling for nominations from the city’s residents to nominate Haarlemmers aged between 4 and 12 years for the chance to be rewarded for acts of kindness or dedication they have…
Major job losses are imminent at and around Schiphol due to coronaBen Koorengevel on Unsplash
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Major job losses imminent at Schiphol due to coronavirus crisis

Due to the coronavirus crisis, about half of the jobs at and around Schiphol are at risk of disappearing in the short term, the NOS national news website reports. There are about 35,000 job at Schiphol, says the FNV trade union. In addition,…
Tonight winter time 2020 started and clocks moved or have to be set one hour back again. Which means that until your system adjusts, it will feel like you can get up an hour later.
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Time change in the Netherlands: winter time 2020

It is official: winter time 2020 has started! Overnight our clocks went back an hour as daylight saving time came to an end. This means that today it feels like we have an 'extra hour' and no doubt your system will need to adjust. It also means…
kids on bikeroyalty free (reuse possible without attribution)
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Cycling with kids in the Netherlands

Dutch kids grow up on bikes – and it is never too early to get them out on two wheels. Until they are old enough to cycle on their own, they will need a little help. This post outlines my experiences of cycling with kids in tow. Living…
Fireworks bomb thrown in Haarlem house again, resident not presentfsHH via Pixabay
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Fireworks exploded in Haarlem house

During the early hours of Wednesday 14 October, there was an incident at a house on the Prins Bernhardlaan in Haarlem caused by fireworks exploding after being thrown through the window. It is the third time in a few days that the house has…
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The Netherlands ranked best place to grow up by UNICEF report

According to a recent UNICEF report, Dutch kids come out top in a league table of well-being outcomes across 41 of the world’s richest countries. Though, there is always room for improvement. UNICEF’s Innocenti Report Card 16 – ‘Worlds…
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Dutch coffee quirks

Yes, it is official: the Dutch drink an awful lot of coffee. However, the coffee landscape in the Netherlands brings with it unique experiences and traditions. Read on to discover more! Coffee – one of life’s simple pleasures enjoyed…
Green-roofed bus shelters in HaarlemArianna Ardia-Wenink
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Green-roofed bus shelters in Haarlem

Two bus shelters at the Verwulft in Haarlem have gone 'green'. Since 7 September, the bus shelters have been installed with eco-roofs and are topped with plants. Residents of the surrounding houses can now look out onto a mini garden. The plants…