Belgium: Authorities suspend travel from India, Brazil, and South Africa as of April 27 due to COVID-19 variant /update 34

Belgium suspends travel from several countries due to COVID-19 variant strains as of April 27. Domestic restrictions remain in place.

Event

Authorities in Belgium have suspended all passenger travel from India, Brazil, and South Africa due to COVID-19 variant strains active in those countries. As of April 27, all air, ground, and maritime travel - including transit traffic - from these countries will be suspended until further notice. Belgian citizens and residents will be allowed to return to Belgium. Also, limited exceptions will be in place for freight transporters, diplomats, and staff of international organizations. Permitted travelers from these three nations, as well as those from the UK and all South American countries, must complete a 10-day quarantine and take polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests on the first and seventh days of isolation.

Otherwise, the ban on nonessential travel to and from Belgium has been lifted. Nevertheless, all travelers arriving from designated "red-zone" countries must quarantine for at least seven days and take COVID-19 PCR tests on days one and seven of isolation. As of April 27, 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 PCR test taken within 72 hours before departing for Belgium.

Domestic restrictions
Certain domestic restrictions remain in place as of April 27 and include the following:

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. Authorities have indicated that they plan to lift the daily curfew starting May 8.
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.
Public and private gatherings are limited to 10 persons.

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.