Yesterday, I wrote about a couple who had traveled on KLM from South Africa to the Netherlands and were forced to go into quarantine in Amsterdam after one of them tested positive for COVID-19. Initial media reports claimed the couple escaped their quarantine hotel and were busted while trying to board a flight to Spain. But the couple is pushing back, claiming they should never have been held in the first place.
Pair Of Travelers Blast The Netherlands For Quarantine Treatment, Argue They Should Never Have Been Held In Amsterdam In The First Place
Carolina Pimenta and her boyfriend Andrés Sanz, who live in Spain, contend that the first test was a false positive and four subsequent test returned negative (two PCR, two antigen). Only Pimenta initially tested positive while Sanz tested negative each time. Pimenta had also recovered from COVID-19 three months ago.
After being detained Sunday evening in Schiphol Airport, the couple were taken to a hospital and forced to quarantine under threat of jail of time. This was not technically an arrest. When stopped onboard their flight, they contacted the Spanish Ambassador, who intervened. Even so, Mayor Marianne Schuurmans of Haarlemmermeer forced the couple into quarantine under a questionable legal basis.
Yesterday afternoon, Dutch authorities released the couple after their attorney protested their treatment. The couple were taken from the hospital to the Spanish consulate by taxi and their return journey is being prepared.
Pimenta and Sanz have been making their rounds on local media to explain their side of the story, telling RTL Nieuws:
“Nobody tells us why we are here or how long we have to stay here. We are locked up, it is freezing cold, and the nurses are like robots. We only get food and drink, but are not informed further.”
Pimenta also complained of sewer issues in the hospital, with strong odors of urine and feces filling their holding area. Before plumbers were dispatched, Pimenta asked to use another toilet but claims, “One of the nurses told me to do it on the floor.”
Their attorney, Bart Maes, argues the initial test created a false basis upon which to hold them and that the three subsequent tests left no doubt the couple was not a risk. The couple will be seeking damages.
CONCLUSION
The couple’s side is an interesting twist to a story that was widely reported, including on Live and Let’s Fly, as a pair of travelers who selfishly tried to escape quarantine early, despite a positive COVID-19 test, to get home. We’ve now heard both sides and can weigh them accordingly. Wherever the truth lies, it does appear the couple will shortly, if not already, be traveling home to Spain with no charges against them.
images: Andrés Sanz
Spain deserves every Omicron cases it gets, with this stupid behavior.
They don’t have a “side”. Slightest sacrifice for the good of their country, and for the entire continent, is apparemtly too much to ask of them.
What is it with commies willing to sacrfice everyone else for the greater good?
Nailed it Efer.
Dude, you need therapy. You’re clearly so obsessed by COVID porn that you are unable to think clearly. You probably wear a mask while alone in your own car. Get some help.
You realize when you say Spain deserves this, you mean innocent Spanish ppl?
You mean the variant with very mild symptoms? Any rational country would love that
@chris-In case you missed it, they weren’t infected. No sacrifice required-science was on their side.
Infection can occur anywhere 2 to 14 days after contact, anything short of a 2 week quarantine isn’t “scientific”.
Brainwashed!!! The guy had recovered from Covid. You can test positive for Covid for up to 6 months after and not be contagious. I had Covid and the same happened to me. I did tests just to check and was positive many times even after all my quarantine and being cleared by doctors. These robotic Government officials have no clue about anything and think one size fits all.
Plus they must have lied to get the QR code to get back into Spain. The form asks if you have been in contact with anyone with Covid and they clearly know they were. Typical Fing liars.
If these white supremacists were in the US I’d lock them up and throw away the key.
Agreed, you do not have a “side to the story” when you are visitor, intended or otherwise, in another country. Don’t want to take on this risk, stay home. Dutch government is fully within its authority to extend extraordinary measures to protect public health. Being a self-entitled fool does not exempt someone. If countries could only jail on basis of stupidity alone…..boycott Spain.
In the immortal words of Walter Sobchak, “……. Amateurs.” Should have just taken a train to Brussels and flown from there. Of course they would get busted at Schiphol.
“One of the nurses told me to do it on the floor.”
Don’t you usually have to pay extra to watch there? And more for them to drop it on your chest?
I heard anything goes there for the right around of cash.
Nah, that one’s Germany.
Wow, can’t believe the comments selfishly suggesting the couple should be detained when they were clearly not infected. War is coming this decade friends.
Yes, suggesting people need to comply with government regulation is selfish. You are a sad, warped individual. Boycott Spain.
Um, what “side”?
The guy tested positive, they had to quarantine, they decided that they are special so they just left, and they got busted.
Typical jerks who think the rules don’t apply to them because reasons.
Did you fail 2nd grade, or did you just elect not to read and be a moron regardless?
You sound very, very smart.
Here’s the science……This guy is way too attractive for quarantine!
My boyfriend and I recently Returned from France. Both of us tested positive for the first time and I found it difficult to believe that both of us would have been simultaneously asymptomatic. We tested three More times and the results were negative each time. Why should even one negative test that is after one positive not count? It would certainly count if it were the other way around!
The couple should get a good lawyer and sue the Dutch State. Walk away with millions in “emotional damages” and “violation of international law”.
Lol. There are no international protections against state actions taken on basis of public health. That is why this is such an emotional issue for so many. Most people have a strong sense of the need to protect personal rights against actions that seem unreasonable, which nearly every state can simply disregard in short run in public health emergencies with little or no recourse. You are literally powerless against state action on basis of emerging public health threats. Don’t like it, stay home.
Perfect depiction of current situation on a huge number of European countries, going full steam to their seemingly beloved communism. You couldn’t even pay me to go there.
OK boomers.