Thread by @Xy5Z89

#Belgium #Brussels #Coronavirus
-INFO THREADE-

Belgium is a single dark red spot on the map of the EU infection control authority. The number of reported corona infections in the past two weeks was 139 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.

In the European Union the country belongs to the top group; only Spain, the Czech Republic, France, Luxembourg and Malta have even higher values. But while protective measures are being ramped up again in many countries, Belgium, with its 11.5 million inhabitants,

is taking an unusual path: it is easing the restrictions again. "Our country is moving from crisis management to risk management," said incumbent Prime Minister Sophie Wilmès after a meeting of the National Security Council.

“We are learning to live with the risk of the coronavirus in our society.” Many Belgians were relieved, but experts warned that the government was sending the wrong signal. Earlier than the neighboring countries, Belgium issued new regulations in the summer to stop the virus.

In July, the numbers in Antwerp literally exploded, where a night curfew was imposed. Restaurants and bars had to close at 11 p.m. And in early August in Brussels. All parts of the city are now colored dark red.

Nevertheless, the mask requirement will be lifted on October 1st. The mayors should then only enforce them in densely populated areas. It had already started at the end of July.

At that time the situation became so confusing - the capital region consists of 19 independent municipalities - that nobody knew where to wear a mask and where not. That could be repeated now.

Belgians will be freed from the unloved “bubble” in which they were supposed to move up to now: a household was only allowed to have close contact with five people per month. The new rule is: Each person can have five close contacts, i.e. twenty in a family of four.

The requirements for weddings are also being relaxed. In future, an unlimited number of guests can be invited as long as they sit at tables of ten that are one and a half meters apart. This is also the case in restaurants and cafes.

The quarantine requirements are also being relaxed. Previously, two weeks were mandatory if someone had contact with a person who tested positive. In the future, one week will be sufficient - provided that the test result is negative at the end of the week.

One of the first beneficiaries is likely to be EU Council President Charles Michel, who went into quarantine on Tuesday and wants to catch up on the European Council that has been postponed next week.

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