Sinterklaas is working from home, the New Year fireworks have gone out with a whimper and the Elfstedentocht has been abandoned even earlier than usual as coronavirus kills off Dutch seasonal joy. On the positive side, there’s a vaccine and the League Against Swearing have published a handy guide to which children’s books to buy this Christmas. Coronavirus is also blamed for the government’s failure to process thousands of asylum applications in time. And we bring you the story of how a Swedish insomniac helped solve a 25-year-old mystery on the island of Texel.

Want to support the DutchNews podcast and keep our stocks of dog food, gin and stroopwafels healthy? Click here to become a Patreon backer

Ophef of the week: Brexit muppet serves up ‘wake up and smell the tea’ video

News

Still too early to say what coronavirus rules will apply at Christmas, says Rutte

Face masks will be legally required from December 1: these are the rules

Health advisors suggest limit of six guests for Christmas dinner this year

Elfstedentocht cancelled because of Covid (and global warming)

Television ‘crucifixion’ joke angers orthodox Christians

Task force set up to clear backlog of asylum applications misses target

Threatening letters with powder sent to hospitals, businesses and newspaper office

Mystery of sailor drowned off Texel solved by sleepless woman in Sweden

Sport

Netherlands 3 Bosnia 1 – Wijnaldum double sets up routine win

Poland 1 Netherlands 2 – De Boer praises belief as Oranje fall short in Nations League