Following the latest information provided by Belgian Prime Minister, Alexander De Croo, the current health and safety measures to contain the spread of Covid-19 in Belgium are to be extended until 1 April.
The extension, however, is not 100% certain. The rules could last until then, but the decision could change or be reverted in the meantime. “This is done in order to have the necessary legal certainty also after 1 March 2021,” said De Croo. “Let me be clear: we do not want to keep these measures in place one day longer than necessary. We asked the experts to lay out a clear path, taking into account not only the number of infections, hospitalizations and deaths, but also the state of the vaccinations, in particular of vulnerable groups.”
Belgium authorities aim to have a penalty system in place by April 1st for people who do not follow the rules when they need to get tested. A crucial example is travelers returning from red zone areas.
Individuals’ information will be given to the police so that “they can be penalized,” said Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke. He assured the press that the government has made good arrangements about this with the different Regional authorities.
The next Consultative Committee meeting will take place on 26 February.