Photo: depositphotos.com
Dutch travellers who have been left stranded abroad by the outbreak of coronavirus can apply for financial support to get home.
Between 100,000 and 200,000 people are believed to be stuck overseas because their flights were cancelled or borders were closed after they left the country.
The foreign affairs ministry, travel companies and the insurers’ association Verbond voor Verzekeraars have set up a website at bijzonderebijstandbuitenland.nl and set up a €10 million fund for tourists and business travellers who are unable to get home. Dutch people who live abroad are not eligible.
‘We are going to fill up flights and bring people home,’ said foreign affairs minister Stef Blok.
Travellers will have to pay a €300 contribution to be brought home from within Europe and €900 if they are returning from anywhere else in the world.
Insurers’ association spokesman Richard Weurding said: ‘We have to realise that this is going to be a mega operation in difficult times. That’s why we’re calling for Dutch people themselves to take responsibility for their own travel, accommodation, alternative itineraries and transport.’
Thank you for donating to DutchNews.nl
The DutchNews.nl team would like to thank all the generous readers who have made a donation in recent weeks. Your financial support has helped us to expand our coverage of the coronavirus crisis into the evenings and weekends and make sure you are kept up to date with the latest developments.
DutchNews.nl has been free for 14 years, but without the financial backing of our readers, we would not be able to provide you with fair and accurate news and features about all things Dutch. Your contributions make this possible.
