UpdateHackers tried to break into access testing systems. Due to ICT problems, processing of test results encountered enormous delays. The Open Netherlands Foundation, which organizes rapid tests on behalf of the government, says no data has been leaked. Every effort is made to eliminate buildup. Young people in particular are anxious, as they have collectively tested themselves to be able to go out again tonight for the first time.
This morning the Open Netherlands Foundation found irregularities in computer systems. The organization said in a statement on the website that this was “most likely” the result of an external hacking attempt.
The organization immediately took measures to secure the systems and rule out hacking attempts. There is no indication that attackers have gained access to the system or data. However, the incident caused a delay in the processing of test results, which resulted in waiting lists in several locations.
Thousands of people are looking forward to going out for an evening out for the first time in months, and many testing sites are fully booked today, says Tom Midendorp, chairman of the Open Netherlands Foundation. “So it is very disappointing to see someone trying to disrupt this from the outside. We are doing our best to clear the backlog so everyone can have a nice evening.”
It was already very busy at the test sites today, because discotheques will open again tonight for the first time in fifteen months. However, those wishing to enter must present a certificate of vaccination or a test.
So the access test sees a “significant increase” in the number of people who want to take the test. There are particularly large crowds in Amsterdam, Groningen and Utrecht.
wrong messages
On Twitter, young people (nervous) reported that they had tests in the morning or early afternoon, the results of which have not yet come out. The link to the test result gives an error message and the help lines cannot be reached.
Spokesperson Jasper Janssen of the Open Netherlands Foundation told this site earlier this evening that the system modification had resolved IT issues. “We are now working hard to clear the backlog. We are doing our best, but unfortunately we cannot guarantee that everyone will get their test results on time.”
Several people reported the unrest and crowds on Twitter. Some have already taken the test this morning and then received a message (sometimes several times) that the test result is ready, after which the link to the test result gave an error. Test lanes helplines can also be difficult and sometimes inaccessible. Young people are worried will they get their test results on time?
Read the tweets below.
CryptoPirate
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long rows
At a test site in Utrecht, there was a queue of at least a hundred people on Friday, and the waiting time was 45 minutes. There was also a long line of people outside Ahoy in Rotterdam. In Groningen, people who had stood in line for 45 minutes were sent home, according to reports North North Newspaper. In all three cities, it’s mainly about young people who want to take the test before heading out for a night out.
Yesterday’s access test also announced that “too many people are signing up for an exit test”. As a result, the time slots on the test streets in Amsterdam quickly filled up. “The place is fairly full,” a spokesperson for Covidia, which is running the tests in Amsterdam, said this afternoon. “There is a European Championship match in the Arena on Saturday, nightclubs and cafes are open and there are a lot of tourists in the city,” he added.
A spokesperson for the national organisation: “We have a significant increase in appointments this weekend due to the new rules, so it is very busy. If there are delays after this, waiting times may increase in some locations.” After the weekend, it will be discussed whether the testing capacity should be increased further.
Watch the video below about the crowds on Test Street in Rotterdam:
Capacity 225,000 tests per day
Those who are not yet fully vaccinated, and who will apply to several youth clubs, can schedule a free express test via the government paid access test. This organization has 95 testing sites across the Netherlands, with a combined capacity of 225,000 rapid tests per day. So far, this number hasn’t even been necessary, and the busiest day was June 17 when 20,000 people were tested. This was mainly because the European Championship match played between the Netherlands and Austria on that day, where 16,000 spectators were welcomed.
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