Belgium Coronavirus measures have been further relaxed. The Coronavirus Barometer has been tipped over to code yellow as of March 7. It is the lowest level there is, which means that many of the restrictions have been lifted.
Code Yellow is the level of the Coronavirus Barometer that is initiated when both the epidemiological situation and the healthcare system of the country are under control. Specifically, there should be fewer than 65 COVID-19 cases admitted to the hospital. At the same time, there should be fewer than 300 beds occupied in the intensive care unit (ICU) for COVID-19.
Belgium Coronavirus Measures: The Covid Safe Ticket (CST) is Not Needed Anymore
The Covid Safe Ticket will not be mandatory to participate in public events, whether they are held indoors or outdoors. This regulation also applies to the hospitality sector and group leisure activities.
Establishments in the hospitality sector can operate under their usual hours. There are no restrictions on what time they should close. They can accommodate as many customers as their physical space allows.
There will also be no limits on the number of attendees in indoor and outdoor activities, both non-dynamic and dynamic in nature. This is similarly true for cultural, youth, and sports activities.
As a result, citizens can freely watch movies, theatrical performances, or sporting events; dine at their favorite restaurants and bars; and attend camps and outings without being concerned about the number of people who can attend. They will have the opportunity to spend as many hours as they wish with their loved ones and newfound friends in any of the activities they participate in.
Belgium Coronavirus Measures: It’s Time to Take Off the Face Mask
Not everyone will be required to wear face masks all the time anymore when they head out. In public spaces and in schools, the mandate for face masks has been removed.
But there are certain situations where citizens are still encouraged or required to wear them. Alexander De Croo, the Prime Minister of Belgium, said that “however, in places where no safe distance can be maintained, it is still recommended.”
In particular, those with pre-existing health conditions are still advised to wear FFP2 masks in public indoor and outdoor settings.
Anyone 12 years of age or older will still be required to wear face masks prior to entering hospitals or residential care homes. Face masks are also necessary when boarding public transport.
Belgium Coronavirus Measures: Traveling Will Be Less of a Hassle
Travelers will not be required to complete the Passenger Locator Form (PLF) before arriving in or returning to Belgium from certain foreign countries. This will take effect on Friday, March 11.
According to Frank Vandenbroucke, the Minister of Health and Social Affairs, “the PLF only remains mandatory for those who travel to Belgium with a carrier from a third country that is not on the EU’s so-called white list.”
Because of this, travelers coming from a country included in the white list of the European Union, will be subject to the same travel regulations as any other European country. Sadly, the UK, USA, and Japan did not make it to the list.
This means that there is no need to undergo COVID-19 testing prior to arrival in the country. Similarly, the quarantine period upon arrival has also been removed. Travelers are only required to present a valid COVID-19 certificate, which can be any of the following:
- Vaccination records with the last dose administered in the past 270 days
- A negative COVID-19 test result
- Medical records that state recovery from infection with the virus
“For those travelling within Europe, it is relatively simple. If you are entering Belgium and are not a Belgian resident, you need to show an EU Digital Covid Certificate. If you have one of the three, then you can get in here,” Vandenbroucke added.
Switching to Code Yellow Would Not Have Been Possible Without Collaborative Efforts
At the press conference held last week, Prime Minister De Croo did not just announce the new Belgium Coronavirus measures. He also spent a few moments expressing his gratitude to everyone who did their best during the years of the COVID-19 pandemic.
To the healthcare sector, he said, “we owe you a lot and we will never forget all your efforts. The coronavirus has taught us that we should always speak carefully, but that does not take away from the fact that we are closing an important chapter here. It is a beautiful symbol of our resilience and perseverance.”
Similarly, Health Minister Vandenbroucke said that “people have persevered through trial and error with measures that were annoying. I think they – and we – are all happy that they can finally be abolished.”
With this, instead of officials encouraging citizens to stay at home, they are now advising the opposite. Those in Belgium should head out for a drink, watch the latest blockbuster at the cinema, or take a walk in the park.
Nevertheless, this does not mean that the COVID-19 virus is completely out of the picture. The virus is still circulating around the communities. Because of this, as citizens go out, they should be mindful of the ventilation in the area. Anyone experiencing symptoms should also take the initiative to avoid going out. Doing so protects oneself and the rest of the community.
The second anniversary of Belgium’s very first lockdown will be celebrated differently this year. By that time, the federal phase of crisis management would have ended. As such, life in Belgium is slowly but surely going back to normal.
Belgium Coronavirus Cases
As of March 7, 2022, there are 330,225 active cases of COVID-19. This comes after 5,713 new COVID-19 cases were added for the day.
The number of deaths due to the virus did not increase as much as the new cases did. There were 11 reported deaths on the same day.
Both the number of new cases and deaths have been decreasing over the past few weeks. This situation, which has been attributed to the careful reopening of the country, has given officials enough reason to further ease public health measures.
