Belgium announces the relaxation of the measures and intends to reopen the borders for tourist trips

Belgium has decided to relax anti-covid measures in the coming weeks, in particular the opening of borders for tourist trips, terraces, cafes and restaurants.

On April 14, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said authorities had chosen to relax anti-covid measures in a prudent but realistic way. Unfortunately, the news is not very good from hospitals, where there are still many young people in intensive care.

De Croo also warned that the country is no longer fighting the same virus as in the first and second waves, but a much more aggressive and contagious one.

However, the so-called contagiousness index has dropped below 1, which means that an infected person on average infects one person or less, a signal that the third wave has ended.

On Monday, April 19, schools will reopen for children up to 14 years old. For young people between 14 and 18 years old, the courses will be in an alternative system, partly at home and partly with a physical presence in the classroom.

Also from April 19, non-essential (tourist) travel will be possible again. However, police will continue to verify that passengers have completed the required location form. Also, travel to the red zones remains prohibited, and those returning from such an area will have to be quarantined, whether they are vaccinated or not.

From April 26, the stores will reopen, without the current necessary programming. Hairdressers, beauty salons and cosmetics will also be able to reopen. The number of those who will be able to meet will also increase, from 4 to 10 people.

On May 8, bars and restaurants will be able to reopen their terraces. Night restrictions will disappear, but it will still be forbidden to gather outside with more than three people from midnight until 5 in the morning. There is also hope that bars and restaurants will be able to open indoors from June.