Fast acting, fast testing: Loyens & Loeff contributes to XL-(rapid)test sites
Amsterdam, 19 November 2020 - It was mid-October when the request was received: could Loyens & Loeff possibly assist pro bono in a unique collaboration between the business community (represented by VNO-NCW), the GGDs and the national government?

In order to increase the test capacity, (X)L test sites for rapid tests and regular PCR tests are now being set up. The goal of this approach is that every Dutch person can visit a test site within a radius of maximum 45 minutes and can go for a test within foreseeable period of time. In this way, social and economic exchanges can be kept going.
These (X)L locations are the result of a unique collaboration between the business community, represented by VNO-NCW, the GGD's and the central government. At the request of VNO-NCW, former Commander of the Armed Forces, Tom Middendorp, took leadership in the collaboration.
Led by Dieuwke Hooft Graafland, a team of 12 Loyens & Loeff lawyers and tax specialists set to work immediately. Dieuwke explains: “Because we have in-house expertise in all necessary areas, both in terms of civil and tax matters, we were able to act very fast in this project. What is striking is that almost every colleague I call is more than willing to weigh in ideas and advise quickly. This allows us to contribute under high time pressure to a project of great importance. Not just for us personally, but for the entire economy. I think it's fantastic that Loyens & Loeff has been able to play such a crucial part in this project.”
Thanks in part to the efforts of Loyens & Loeff, the first Corona Rapid Test Street (X)L-location in Groningen was opened on 9 November. And last Monday followed the (so far) largest '(X)L test pavilion' in Utrecht. The upcoming weeks many more (X)L test streets will open throughout the Netherlands. Testing without symptoms, as announced by Minister Hugo de Jonge (Public Health) last Tuesday evening at the press conference, is made possible due to the (X)L-test locations and the extra testing capacity this will create.
Dieuwke Hooft Graafland
Senior associate Attorney at lawDieuwke Hooft Graafland-Dijkmans van Gunst, attorney at law, is a member of Loyens & Loeff's Healthcare Team since 2011.
T: +31 20 578 53 81 M: +31 6 50 52 18 78 E: dieuwke.hooftgraafland@loyensloeff.comBart Heijnen
Senior associate Tax adviserBart Heijnen, tax adviser, has been working in the Indirect Tax practice of Loyens & Loeff since 2008.
T: +31 20 578 53 77 M: +31 651 01 89 99 E: bart.heijnen@loyensloeff.comTony Vermeulen
Senior associate Attorney at lawTony Vermeulen, attorney at law, is a member of the Litigation & Risk Management Practice Group in our Rotterdam office. He focuses on commercial litigation and commercial contracts. He advises and litigates on commercial contracts and tort claims.
T: +31 10 224 65 01 M: +31 6 51 00 86 68 E: anton.vermeulen@loyensloeff.com