Restaurants and bars in Belgium will be able to open for indoor dining from June 9th, authorities announced on Friday June 4th, after the Consultative Committee’s meeting. Bars and restaurants will be allowed to open until 11:30 p.m., while respecting current rules on social distancing.
We have succeeded in transforming a dangerous situation into a favorable outlook for the summer
Alexander De Croo, Belgium’s Prime Minister
When it comes to travel restrictions, people returning to Belgium from a “red zone” country and who are not fully vaccinated will need to be tested upon arrival. For Belgian residents, there will be no quarantine for vaccinated persons. The same goes for people who have a certificate of recovery.
For people who have been tested, there is no quarantine either, but the test (PCR) must have been performed at least 72 hours before the return. People who have been fully vaccinated for at least two weeks will not face testing upon their return. For those over 16 years old, the PCR test is required and for those 6 to 12 years old, a saliva test will suffice. Those under 6 years of age are exempt from testing. For non-residents, the same rules apply, except that a PCR test is required from age 6.
Large events of up to 75,000 people — concerts, festivals — will be authorized from August 13th.
The wide re-opening of the hospitality sector envisioned for June 9 can take place as long as the threshold of fewer than 500 patients in intensive care continues remains. According to Belgian public health institute Sciensano, the number has been below the 500 mark since May 27.
