Belgium: Authorities to initiate a phased easing of COVID-19 restrictions starting April 19 /update 33

Belgium to start easing COVID-19 domestic and international entry restrictions from April 19. Expect disruptions.

Event

Authorities in Belgium will start a phased easing of COVID-19 restrictions; starting April 19, the ban on nonessential travel to and from Belgium will be lifted. All travelers returning from a red-zone country will have to quarantine for at least seven days, and will be required to get a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test on days one and seven of their quarantine. As of April 15, most countries in EU including France, Germany, Spain, Netherlands, and Italy are considered red zone countries

All permitted arrivals staying in Belgium for more than 48 hours must complete a Passenger Locator Form within the 48 hours before arrival, and possess a negative result from a COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test taken within 72 hours before departing for Belgium.

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 PCR tests on the first and seventh days of the quarantine.

Domestic restrictions
Starting April 19 schools will reopen for certain groups of students. Starting April 26, many nonessential shops will be allowed to fully reopen. The permitted size of group gatherings will be increased from four to ten people, both in public and private spaces. Authorities have also indicated that they plan to lift the daily curfew starting May 8.

Certain restrictions will remain in place and include the following:

Entertainment establishments and leisure facilities are closed until April 26
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.
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.

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.