Belgium: Authorities amend COVID-19-related international entry restrictions as of Aug. 13 /update 40

Event

Authorities in Belgium have amended the nation's COVID-19-related international entry restrictions as of Aug. 13. Officials have lifted the entry ban that applied to travelers from "very high-risk" countries. While travelers from these countries may now enter Belgium, they are still subject to stricter sanitary measures than travelers from countries with a lower risk of contracting COVID-19, until at least Aug. 19. Individuals who have visited a very high-risk country in the 14 days before arriving in Belgium must complete a passenger locator form, submit a negative PCR test result taken no more than 72 hours before arrival or an EU Digital COVID Certificate or the UK's NHS COVID certificate, take a second test on day 7, and self-isolate for 10 days. Belgian residents must also submit to a test on day 1. These measures apply to both unvaccinated and fully vaccinated travelers.

As of Aug. 13, Argentina, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, eSwatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Malaysia, Mexico, Mozambique, Namibia, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, South Africa, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, Zambia, and Zimbabwe are considered very high-risk locations. The list of very high-risk countries is available here.

Belgium also maintains lighter entry restrictions for travel from other destinations. Unvaccinated travelers from "red zone" locations must take a PCR test on the first and seventh day after arrival. Persons who test positive in either test will be required to quarantine for 10 days. Persons who present a PCR test taken less than 72 hours before entering Belgium are exempt from testing on the first day after arrival. The measure does not apply to travelers with a certificate of COVID-19 vaccination with a European Medicines Agency (EMA)-approved vaccine, which is no less than 14 days old, or travelers with a certificate of recovery from within the previous 180 days. All travelers arriving via air, sea, or land and spending at least 48 hours in Belgium must fill out a Passenger Locator Form within the 48 hours before arrival.

Non-resident foreign nationals from countries outside the EU, Schengen Area, or Albania, Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brunei, Canada, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kosovo, Lebanon, Macau, Montenegro, New Zealand, Qatar, Moldova, North Macedonia, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, South Korea, and the US are prohibited from entry with limited exceptions including essential work and family responsibility. The restrictions do not apply to travelers with a recognized vaccination certificate.

Domestic Restrictions
Belgium's "COVID Safe Ticket," which designates whether the holder has been fully vaccinated, recovered from COVID-19, or recently tested for the disease, launched Aug. 13. Holders are currently permitted to attend outdoor events with more than 1,500 attendees, but not exceeding 75,000, without observing social distance, wearing facemasks, or observing other disease-related behavioral measures. Starting Sept. 1, indoor events will also be covered by the ticket.

Individuals may currently host up to eight people in their homes. Events are permitted for up to 2,000 vaccinated/unvaccinated people indoors and 2,500 unvaccinated people outdoors. Hospitality and catering establishments are permitted to remain open until 01:00. Most businesses and services were previously permitted to reopen subject to hygiene and social distancing requirements. Facemasks remain mandatory in enclosed public spaces and busy outdoor areas as defined by local authorities.

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.