Belgium: Brussels Airlines extends suspension of commercial operations until June 1 /update 14

Event

On Wednesday, April 29, Brussels Airlines announced that it has extended its cancelation of all flights until Monday, June 1, due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. The airline suspended commercial operations on March 21.

TUI Belgium, an international travel company, and its subsidiary TUI fly Belgium previously announced that all trips, including flights, are temporarily suspended until Sunday, June 7. The decision comes after the National Security Council prohibited all nonessential trips abroad until Monday, June 8. Affected passengers will receive the option to rebook.

Belgian Prime Minister Sophie Wilmes announced previously that the current nationwide lockdown will be relaxed from Monday, May 4. Beginning Monday, people will be permitted to meet in open spaces with up to two individuals not living in their households, while observing social distancing rules. Certain businesses will also be allowed to reopen; however, the wearing of face masks will remain mandatory on public transport. In the second phase, starting from Monday, May 11, all shops will be allowed to resume operations if they adhere to strict social distancing rules. In the third phase, starting from Monday, May 18, schools will be permitted to reopen with a maximum of ten students per classroom. Small gatherings at home will also be permitted, and hairdressers and museums will reopen. Other establishments, such as bars, restaurants, and cafes, will only be allowed to reopen in June. The prime minister has stated that it is possible that restrictions will be reinstated if COVID-19 cases were to significantly increase during the easing of lockdown measures.

Under the current lockdown measures, individuals are only allowed to leave their homes to travel to supermarkets, pharmacies, banks, or to seek emergency assistance. Public gatherings remain prohibited and sporting and cultural events are banned until Monday, August 31.

Entry and exit checks have been reintroduced to prevent people from taking part in nonessential travel. All travelers to Belgium will be expected to produce a Belgian ID card or a letter from their employer to prove that their travel is essential. Individuals traveling for nonessential purposes will be denied entry.

As of Wednesday, April 29, there are 47,859 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 7501 associated fatalities in the country. Further international spread of the virus is to be expected over the near term.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Human-to-human and patient-to-medical staff transmission of the virus have been confirmed. Many of the associated fatalities have been due to pneumonia caused by the virus.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic.

Pneumonia symptoms include dry cough, chest pain, fever, and trouble breathing. Pneumonia can be contagious and can be transmitted from human to human. The influenza virus, or the flu, is a common cause of viral pneumonia.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:  

• Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
• If experiencing a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness, including pneumonia, call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the disease.