Belgium: Authorities ease country's COVID-19-related domestic measures as of March 10, plan to relax international travel restrictions from March 11 /update 53

Belgium eases COVID-19-related domestic measures as of March 10 and plans to relax international travel restrictions from March 11.

Event

Authorities in Belgium have eased the country's COVID-19-related domestic measures as of March 10. COVID Safe Tickets are no longer required to enter hospitality establishments and restrictions on organized events have been lifted. In addition, wearing a facemask is no longer required in any indoor spaces except for public transport and medical facilities; however, authorities still recommend wearing a facemask in indoor areas, crowded spaces, and places where social distancing cannot be maintained.

Starting March 11, authorities will also ease certain COVID-19-related international travel restrictions. Incoming travelers will no longer be required to fill out a Passenger Locator Form (PLF) before arrival, except for those arriving from countries outside the EU or Schengen Area that are not on the EU's list of third countries from which nonessential travel is permitted (i.e., the "white list"). Furthermore, there will be no testing or quarantine requirements for permitted travelers arriving in Belgium who have a valid certificate of vaccination or recovery, a negative result from a PCR test taken in the 72 hours before arrival, or a negative result from a rapid antigen test taken in the 24 hours before arrival. Citizens and residents of Belgium who do not possess any of these aforementioned certificates and who are arriving from dark red countries within the EU or Schengen Area, or third countries that are not on the EU's list of countries from which nonessential travel is permitted, must be tested for COVID-19 on day one after arrival.

Domestic Measures
All businesses are allowed to operate without restrictions. Wearing a facemask is required on public transport and in medical facilities.

International Travel Restrictions
Under existing regulations in effect until March 11, 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 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 for travelers from countries that are on the EU's list of approved third countries; to view what countries are on the approved list, click here.

Nonessential travel is generally prohibited for unvaccinated individuals who are not EU citizens or residents and who are arriving from any non-exempt third country outside the EU and Schengen Area.

All permitted travelers must possess a valid certificate of vaccination or recovery, a negative result from a PCR test taken in the 72 hours before arrival, or a negative result from a rapid antigen test taken in the 24 hours before arrival.

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