On Friday 5 March the Consultative Committee of Governments has decided to prolong the ban on leisure travel to and from Belgium to 18 April. That is after the Easter School Holiday.

The Consultative Committee will assess this travel ban on the scheduled meeting of 26 March, Prime Minister Alexander De Croo (Open Vld) said. 

In the meantime, the government allows meeting more people outside, with bubbles of ten. That is just adapting the rules to a reality. 

Perspective

People and organisations crave ‘perspective’. When will coronavirus countermeasures ease off? The catering industry – bars, hotels, restaurants – should be able to reopen on 1 May. 

In April, cultural events up to fifty people, outside, should be possible as well. Travel without restaurants or culture is quite pointless. 

Testing and vaccination 

PM De Croo stated that opening social life will be coupled with an increase of vaccination and the use of quick tests and home tests to know if you are virus free. 

Theory v. practice 

Typically Belgian (or not?) many do more than allowed. But policy makers are wary of allowing more officially, because people will do even more. 

Curfew

The curfew is here to stay, said Minister of Justice and Deputy Prime Minister Vincent Van Quickenborne (Open Vld). “Even when the horeca will reopen, we will keep the curfew. It’s an effective countermeasure.”