Belgian border closed for “non-essential travel” | Abroad

This means that the borders to enter and exit Belgium are controlled.

This was reported by the Minister of the Interior and Security Pieter De Crem. The measure has already started. “In particular, tourist trips to Belgium will be banned and border controls will now apply,” said De Crem. “Any violation will be strictly sanctioned.”

Refueling just across the border can be expensive. The Belgians warn that fines of 4000 euros will apply. Police special teams check. “People who do not want to listen are on the receipt,” it sounds warning. In recent days it has been busy with Dutch people coming to refuel in Belgium, while the Belgians want to ban all non-essential movements.

All non-essential travel is prohibited, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs says. This means that a visit to a second home and a holiday in Belgium are no longer possible. This morning, for example, the police checked between Sluis and Knokke in Zeeland on the Belgian coast. Belgians are also prohibited from visiting their second home on the coast.

Belgium has the name that it pursues a stricter policy than the Netherlands, although in practice the measures are fairly equivalent. Belgians should stay indoors as much as possible. They may take to the streets for the necessary groceries, but also for getting a breath of fresh air. The parks are just open for a walk, but visitors should keep an appropriate distance from each other.

Unlike in the Netherlands, all non-essential stores are closed. A ban on gathering has also been issued.

Last weekend cafes, restaurants and non-essential shops closed in Belgium. Many Belgians then crossed the border to the Netherlands, which caused a lot of commotion. Since then, the Netherlands has been known as “lax”, while the policy is now almost identical.

The fines are high because the Belgians mean to maintain. First, however, there is a warning. Only those who don’t want to listen and turn around will really get a print.

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