The National Heat Plan will come into effect again on Wednesday, it reports RIVM Tuesday. The plan applies to all provinces and will most likely remain in effect until after the weekend. From Wednesday to Sunday it is expected to be at least 30 degrees in De Bilt, which means there is a high chance of a heat wave.
After consultation with the KNMI weather institute, RIVM has decided to institute the plan. With the National Heat Plan, which was also instituted in mid-July, RIVM warns care organizations in particular of expected persistent heat. In such heat, measures must be taken to protect vulnerable groups.
The over-75s are the largest vulnerable group. At a higher age the incentive to drink worsens and therefore the elderly are more at risk of dehydration. “And so it is important that caregivers pay extra attention to this,” says a spokesperson.
Everyone – including people in good health – should pay extra attention during tropical days. The RIVM generally recommends drinking plenty of water, not exercising too much during the hottest hours of the day and keeping the house and head cool by using curtains, a fan or air conditioning.
When the National Heat Plan was announced in July, some found it patronizing, a spokesman for the RIVM noted in the reactions. “People said that they also noticed that it was hot.” The plan is therefore not intended for them. “We want to inform authorities such as the GGDs and the Red Cross, so that they in turn instruct event organizers, care homes and informal carers to pay extra attention.”
NS is allowing more trains to run towards the sea due to heat
In the coming days, the NS will run extra trains between Haarlem and Zandvoort at busy times from 10 a.m. Then a train runs six times an hour. At busy times from Amsterdam Central, it is recommended not to travel directly to Zandvoort, but via Haarlem with the extra train. The NS also advises to take enough water with you and to check the travel planner before departure.
Rijkswaterstaat already announced on Monday that it would introduce a heat protocol in phases from Wednesday. Limburg is expected to start on Wednesday, followed by the other provinces where it is at least 30 degrees. People with bad luck are then quickly removed from the road.
Rescue Brigade Netherlands also hopes that everyone is sharp on these hot days. The organization asks everyone to be extra alert to safety. “Pay extra attention to swimming safety, because there are life-threatening risks lurking. Where are the official bathing water locations? Where are they supervised? Where are the rip currents on the coast? Think about these questions in advance,” Reddingsbrigade Nederland writes in a statement. press release.
Some vaccination and testing locations will close earlier
Vaccination and test locations of the GGDs sometimes close earlier in the coming days due to the expected heat wave. The Rotterdam-Rijnmond region, among others, announced on Tuesday that all locations will only be open until 1 pm between 10 and 13 August.
Also in Drenthe, North Brabant, Overijssel, Gelderland and Limburg, no injections or tests are sometimes taken in the afternoon. The regional GGDs report that canceled appointments are being moved.
In North Brabant, this includes vaccination locations in Den Bosch, Veghel and Waalwijk. In Tilburg, the Koning Willem II Stadium will remain open for shots. This is because, according to GGD Hart van Brabant, the temperature can be regulated better there. GGD Zuid-Limburg closes all locations after 12:00 due to the heat.
GGD Drenthe and GGD Twente are also adjusting the opening hours. GGD Gelderland-Midden has announced that the tropical schedule applies to two permanent vaccination locations in Arnhem and Ede.