Belgium: Authorities tighten COVID-19-related domestic restrictions, enforce entry ban from very high-risk locations as of mid-December /update 48

Event

Authorities in Belgium have tightened the country's COVID-19-related domestic restrictions as of mid-December. Teleworking is now mandatory four days per week unless necessary to travel to a place of work; previously, authorities had required employees to telework three days per week. Officials have also banned all indoor activities and gatherings, except for weddings, funerals, gatherings in private accommodations, and sporting events. Organized indoor events and conferences are now capped at a maximum of 200 people. Hospitality-sector businesses are subject to reduced operating hours from 05:00-23:00.

Officials have also implemented an entry ban for travelers who have visited one of a list of very high-risk countries - including Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe - in the last 14 days. Belgian citizens, permanent residents, and other limited categories of travelers are exempt from the entry ban. Permitted arrivals who are not residents of Belgium must present a negative result from a PCR test taken less than 72 hours before arrival or a valid EU Digital COVID Certificate or equivalent to enter the country. All permitted arrivals must self-isolate for ten days upon arrival and get tested on days one and seven of the quarantine period.

Domestic Restrictions
Other domestic restrictions also remain in place as of mid-December. Wearing a facemask is mandatory in all public indoor spaces and at all public venues; wearing a facemask is also required at private indoor gatherings of more than 50 people and at private outdoor gatherings of more than 100 people. Most businesses and services are permitted to operate subject to teleworking, hygiene, and social distancing requirements.

Belgium has implemented a COVID Safe Ticket system which indicates whether the holder has been fully vaccinated against, recovered from, or recently tested negative for COVID-19. A valid COVID Safe Ticket is required to enter restaurants, bars, and fitness facilities, among other indoor spaces and events.

International Entry Restrictions
In addition to the entry ban on travelers who have recently visited a very high-risk location, other international entry restrictions remain in effect. All travelers arriving in Belgium who have been outside of the country for 48 hours or more or are staying for 48 hours or longer must fill out a Passenger Locator Form (PLF) before arrival; all individuals who have visited a very high-risk country in the last 14 days or are arriving via air or sea, or by train or bus from outside the EU or Schengen Area, must fill out the form regardless of how long they are staying in Belgium. To access the form, click here.

Entry into Belgium is generally permitted for vaccinated travelers from most countries and for non-vaccinated travelers from EU and Schengen Area countries in addition to Argentina, Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Kuwait, Macau, New Zealand, Peru, Qatar, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Taiwan, the UAE, and Uruguay. Nonessential travel is generally prohibited for unvaccinated individuals who are not EU citizens or residents coming from all other countries outside the EU and Schengen Area.

Travelers who are not Belgian residents and are coming from countries designated as green or orange can enter without restriction. Individuals who are not Belgian residents and who are traveling from red locations within the EU or Schengen Area or the specific countries listed above with proof of vaccination or recovery from COVID-19 can also enter without additional requirements. However, such individuals traveling from these locations without proof of vaccination or recovery must either possess proof of a negative result from a PCR test taken within 72 hours before arrival or a negative result from a rapid antigen test taken no more than one day before arrival in Belgium and must take another test on the seventh day after arrival.

Vaccinated individuals who are not Belgian residents and who are traveling from red countries outside the EU, Schengen Area, and the abovementioned list of third locations must present a negative result from either a PCR test taken within 72 hours before arrival or a rapid antigen test taken no more than 24 hours before arrival to enter Belgium; these travelers must also take a COVID-19 test on the first and seventh days after arrival, and must remain in quarantine at least until receiving a negative result from the day-one test. Unvaccinated travelers who are not residents of Belgium, not EU nationals or residents, and are arriving from red locations outside the EU, Schengen Area, and abovementioned list of third countries may only travel to Belgium for essential purposes and must also present a negative result from either a PCR test taken within 72 hours before arrival or a rapid antigen test taken no more than 24 hours before arrival to enter Belgium. These travelers must take COVID-19 tests on days one and seven after arrival and remain in quarantine until receiving a negative result from the day-seven test.

Additionally, all individuals traveling from a red location to Brussels without proof of vaccination or recovery must take COVID-19 tests on days one and seven after arrival and self-isolate until receiving the result of the day-seven test.

For details on which countries and constituent regions are currently classified as red, orange, and green, click here.

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.