Belgium: Authorities to ease COVID-19-related domestic and international travel measures as of Feb. 18 /update 52

Event

Authorities in Belgium will ease measures introduced to combat the spread of COVID-19 as of Feb. 18. Hospitality businesses will no longer be subject to opening hour constraints and nightclubs will be permitted to reopen, limits on gatherings and events will be relaxed, and teleworking will become recommended rather than mandatory. Additionally, entry requirements will no longer differ based on the color code of the country a traveler arrives from; however, unvaccinated travel from outside the EU and limited other countries will remain limited to essential purposes only.

Domestic Measures
In addition to the changes listed above, facemasks will remain mandatory in most indoor public spaces and the COVID Safe Ticket system will remain in force. The COVID Safe Ticket system 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 Travel Restrictions
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. Moreover, 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, as well as those from Bahrain, 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 arriving from any non-exempt country outside the EU and Schengen Area.

Until Feb. 18, travelers arriving 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 on the day before or the day of 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 locations must present a negative result from either a PCR test taken within 72 hours before arrival or a rapid antigen test taken either on the day before or day of arrival. 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-one test.

From Feb. 18 onwards, all permitted travelers must possess a valid certificate of vaccination or recovery, a negative PCR test taken in the 72 hours prior to travel, or a negative rapid antigen test taken in the 24 hours prior to travel.

For additional details regarding entry requirements based on citizenship and country of arrival, click here.

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.