The National Security Council in Belgium has prolonged the measures to curb coronavirus COVID-19 until 19 April. An extension until 3 May is possible.

The default activity is to remain inside. You’re allowed to go outside

• for groceries;
• to go to the pharmacy or chemist;
• to go to work if you can’t work from home;
• to do some outdoors sports.

The Council specified that last one. You’re supposed to remain busy. Don’t go sunbathing in a park, don’t travel to somewhere to work-out. You can hike, walk, jog, run, cycle.

You should do it alone. You can do this with one friend, respecting the rules of social distancing or with your in-house family.

Anyone breaching the rules will be given an on-the-spot fine.

National Security Council?

The National Security Council is not a household name in Belgium. It comprises

• the Prime Minister, currently Sophie Wilmès (MR);
• the Deputy Prime Ministers Koen Geens (CD&V), Alexander De Croo (Open Vld) and David Clarinval (MR).
• the Minister of Justice Koen Geens;
• the Minister of the Interior Pieter De Crem (CD&V);
• the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Defense Philippe Goffin (MR).

The topic being public health it includes some virologists such as prof. dr. Marc Van Ranst and Minister of Health dr. Maggie De Block (Open Vld).

Because of the decentralized, federal nature of Belgium, this NSC also includes

• Jan Jambon (N-VA), Minister-President of Flanders;
• Elio Di Rupo (PS), Minister-President of Wallonia;
• Rudi Vervoort (PS), Minister-President of the Brussels-Capital Region.

So now you know.

#StaySafe