Today, Belgium’s Consultative Committee meeting decided that the country will relax its current coronavirus restrictions in several stages starting on June 9th.
The Committee has been able to establish a broad summer plan to relax measures. Four out of 10 adult Belgians have already received their first vaccine dose. And the campaign will also accelerate
Alexander De Croo, Belgium’s Prime Minister
June 9th
With an expected 80% of vaccination in the “comorbidity“ population, and a maximum threshold of 500 hospitalizations in intensive care, reopening will begin within protocol. Starting with the hotel and catering industry, indoors, with a maximum of 4 people per table, except for members of the same household, and a distance of 1.5 meters between the tables, all between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. As for the terraces, they will remain open until 11:30 pm. The social bubble at home will be increased to 4 people.
The theater and concert halls will reopen with a maximum of 200 people, and a maximum occupancy rate of 75% in relation to the total capacity of the venue. All most be seated, with mask, and physical distance. Outside: 400 people maximum, with mask and physical distance. This applies to cinemas, and with ventilation systems.
Reopening of youth activities and camps, with a maximum of 50 people (inside and outside), without overnight stay. Same thing for the sports clubs, the activities organized in groups general.
Services, weddings and funerals will be authorized with 100 people inside during the service, and 200 people maximum outside. Receptions (weddings, funerals) will be allowed with a maximum of 50 people. Fairs, flea markets and non-professional flea markets will be allowed.
The following are allowed with ventilation systems: public saunas, jacuzzis, steam cabins, hammams, nature parks, animal gardens, amusement parks, indoor playgrounds, indoor recreational activities, tropical swimming pools, casinos, betting offices, slot machine rooms, bowling and fitness.
Non-professional sports training and competitions: maximum 50 people indoors and 100 outdoors. Indoor parties and receptions: a maximum of 50 people will be allowed. Return to face-to-face work one day per week per worker, with a maximum of 20% of the total staff, and 5 people for SMEs with less than 10 workers.
June 25th and July 1st
As of June 25, youth activities and youth camps (with pre-testing before departure) will be allowed with a maximum of 100 people (indoor and outdoor), with the possibility of overnight stays.
On July 1st, with an expected vaccination rate of 60% of the first dose for the whole population, and still the threshold of 500 patients in intensive care, add the requirement of a “decrease in hospitalizations”.
The rules to be followed in the hospitality sector (tables, distances) will be redetermined, depending on the evolution of the pandemic. Under these conditions, as far as the indoor event sector is concerned, 2,000 people will be allowed to attend, with an occupancy rate of 80% of the total capacity of the venue concerned. Everyone must be seated, with mask, and physical distance.
Outdoor events will be increased to a maximum of 2,500 people, with mask and physical distance. There will be “test events” with coronapass. July 1st ought to be the end of shopping restrictions.
Non-professional sports training and competitions: no restrictions, neither inside nor outside. Indoor parties and receptions: 100 people maximum. Telecommuting will just be “recommended”.
July 30th
On July 30 the following points will be evaluated: if 70% of those over 18 have received their first dose, if there are fewer than 500 people in intensive care (a guideline value) and if the outlook continues to be downward, an increase to 3,000 people indoors for events will be allowed, filling the rooms to 100%. Masking and distancing will remain mandatory. Outdoor events will be able to accommodate 5,000 people.
From August 13th it will be possible for organizers to host more than 5,000 people and use the “Covid Safe Ticket”. They will be required to have received the first dose of vaccine, a negative test or a negative antigen test on site. This can only be done for mass events. This system is called “biodegradable” and will close on September 30. It is for single use only.
On July 30th, trade fairs will be able to reopen. There will also be some additional flexibility for party and reception halls, which will be able to increase to 250 people under the same conditions as the hospitality sector.
September 1st
This is the final step in the plan laid out during the Consultative Committee meeting today. Further easing of measures will be allowed, provided that 70% of people over 18 have received their second dose and that there are less than 500 people in intensive care.
From this date, the capacity of indoor events will be increased from 3,000 to 5,000 people. An exception: the capacity will be unlimited for people in possession of the European Health Pass and coming from the European Economic Area, Switzerland or the United Kingdom. Outside the European Economic Area, the capacity will be increased to 10,000 people.
