Belgium: Authorities adjust some COVID-19 restrictions to avoid third-wave infections /update 31

Authorities in Belgium adjust some COVID-19 measures as of March 20 to avoid third wave infections.

Event

Authorities in Belgium have adjusted some COVID-19-related restrictions and measures as of March 20 to avoid potential third wave infections. Authorities had initially decided to reopen parts of the economy, including restaurants, bars, gyms, cinemas, and other recreational activities, from April 1; however, this has been pushed back to May 1. Additionally, regulations for facemasks have been adjusted, and children aged 10 and older are now required to wear face coverings. This amendment is in preparation for secondary schools reopening from April 19. Other restrictions remain in place and include the following:

Entertainment establishments and leisure facilities are closed; however, non-medical close contact services, including hairdressers, are allowed to operate.
The 00:01-05:00 curfew in Wallonia remains in place. Curfew hours in Flanders and the city of Brussels remain 00:01-05:00 and 22:00-06:00, respectively.
Catering establishments are closed except for delivery and carryout services, which are permitted until 22:00.
Facemasks must be worn on public transport, as well as in enclosed spaces and busy outdoor areas as defined by local authorities.
Working from home remains mandatory wherever possible.
Individuals are only allowed close contact (no social distancing required) with one person they do not live with per month; each household may host one close contact per month; people who live alone are allowed two close contacts.

International Travel
Authorities have banned all nonessential travel to and from Belgium; the measures apply to all road, air, sea, and rail traffic. Exceptions include travel for compelling family reasons, humanitarian reasons, study purposes, commuting by cross-border workers, professional purposes, and emergency reasons, such as animal care, emergency vehicle repairs, and moving. All permitted arrivals staying in Belgium for more than 48 hours must complete a Passenger Locator Form within the 48 hours before arrival, fill in and carry a sworn statement confirming the essential nature of their travel, and possess a negative result from a COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test taken within 72 hours before departing for Belgium. Based on answers given in the Passenger Locator Form, health officials may contact travelers and require them to self-isolate for at least seven days. Currently, only travelers from Denmark, Finland, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Norway, and overseas territories of France and Portugal may not be required to self-isolate on arrival.

Belgian officials also enforce additional quarantine protocols for arrivals from the UK, South Africa, and South America. Travelers from these regions must complete a 10-day quarantine and take COVID-19 PCR tests on the first and seventh days of the quarantine.

Authorities could reimpose, extend, further ease, or otherwise amend any restrictions with little-to-no notice depending on disease activity over the coming weeks.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements. Consider delaying traveling if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, as they may prompt increased scrutiny and delays. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions. Reconsider and reconfirm nonemergency health appointments.