For the first time since the beginning of November, there are fewer than 2,000 asylum seekers in the registration center in Ter Apel. Because the number remains below the agreed limit, the reception agency COA does not have to pay a new penalty of 50,000 euros.
Last night 1966 people slept in the registration center. This means that a net of fifty beds became available yesterday. The COA moves people from Ter Apel to vacant places in reception locations in other places, and is also constantly receiving new asylum seekers.
Since November 4, there have been more than 2,000 asylum seekers in the registration center at all times, and on a few occasions even more than 2,100. For every day that there are too many people in Ter Apel, the COA must pay 50,000 euros to the municipality of Westerwolde, which includes the village. Since the beginning of September, the counter has stood at 2.1 million euros. The maximum amount of 5 million euros can be reached in the second half of January.