Coronavirus Measures Tightened in Belgium

Coronavirus Measures Tightened in Belgium Coronavirus measures are being tightened in Belgium. Stores other than markets and pharmacies are closed in the country. The rapidly increasing coronavirus (Covid-19) cases all over the world have pushed Belgium to tighten the measures. The Advisory Committee, chaired by the Belgian Prime Minister Alexander de Croo, convened and discussed new measures to be taken. New practices were implemented in order to control the daily number of cases exceeding 15 thousand in the country. Making a statement after the meeting, De Croo emphasized that Belgium is in a state of emergency in terms of health and continued as follows:

“Our only option right now is to support the health sector and avoid physical contact as much as possible. We are going back to strict measures. This has only one purpose. That is to prevent our health system from collapsing.”

According to the decisions taken at the meeting, it was understood that as of Monday morning, all stores in the country except those with basic needs such as supermarkets, grocery stores and pharmacies will remain closed until at least December 1. On the other hand, online or telephone sales will continue. Customers will be able to go to the store and take their orders without going inside. Restaurants, which were closed together with cafes and bars in the previous period, will be able to offer takeaway service. Hotels will be open, but restaurants inside will remain closed.   Travel will not be blocked No changes were made to the curfews between 10 pm to 6 am, which was announced in many regions of the country in the past. For the Flemish region, this restriction is valid between midnight to 5 am. It was stated that the borders would be kept open in Belgium, where no travel restrictions were applied. At the beginning of the week, it was reported that the schools will take a break and the 1-week holiday will be increased to 2 weeks. In addition, the government made new decisions on social distance. According to the decisions, each family can have close contact with at most one person without a mask and without social distance, but more than one person will not be allowed to be invited home. The maximum number of people who can gather outdoors will be 4. The number of people who live alone can meet with close contact will be limited to two. The system will continue to work from home for possible jobs that were among the measures taken in the previous process. Work from home will be strictly monitored. In addition, the obligation to wear masks in all open and closed areas will continue. Belgium stands at the top of the list of cases in European countries.