FEARS of being cooped up during a curfew have led the Dutch to resort to creative ways to dodge the rules, with people signing up for borrow-a-dog services and ordering the uniforms of home delivery companies.

To curb the COVID-19 pandemic, the Dutch Government put into effect an evening curfew from Saturday, under which only people with urgent need may leave their homes from 8:30 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. until at least Feb. 9, the first nationwide curfew since World War II.

Exceptions are planned for essential services, including takeaway meal delivery, package couriers and those who need to take pets outdoors for walks. A website matching those needing help with their pets with volunteers for dog walking has been overwhelmed with offers.

“We normally get 10 offers a week and since they announced plans for a curfew Tuesday we have received 300,” said Jos van Prooijen, who runs not-for-profit website, www.matcheenleenhond.nl.

Online market place Marktplaats.nl froze sales of jackets and clothing of well-known delivery companies in response to soaring demand.

Some sellers offered empty scooter delivery boxes starting at 50 euros (US$60.8).

Violators of the curfew can be fined 95 euros (US$115).

(SD-Agencies)