In Belgium, all non-essential stores are closed. Supermarkets, food shops, drugstores and pharmacies will remain open. That was announced by Prime Minister Sophie Wilmès on Tuesday evening.
The urgent advice is to stay indoors and work from home. “People have to stay at home to avoid maximum contact, except essential movements.”
People are still allowed to go outside for walking, jogging or cycling. It is even recommended. “If you want to get a breath of fresh air, you can do so in the company of a family member or girlfriend. With respect for an appropriate social distance, of course,” says Wilmès.
However, there will be a ban on gathering that the police will closely monitor.
Access to supermarkets is limited to a maximum of one person per ten square meters, and customers are allowed to stay indoors for up to 30 minutes. Other measures include that night shops should close at 10pm. And hairdressers are only allowed to admit one customer at a time.
Working from home becomes the norm
Working from home is becoming the norm in Belgium, says Wilmès. “Companies where this is not possible may remain open, provided that the rules for ‘social distancing’ are respected. Companies that unnecessarily oblige their employees to come to work risk a hefty fine.”
The strict quarantine measures will start at noon on Wednesday afternoon and will last until at least April 5.
Previously, a total lockdown was also taken into account, as is also the case in France and Italy, where you can only enter the street with specific permission.
The new measures are in addition to the previous measures that have already been taken. In Belgium, for example, all cafes, restaurants and discos are now closed.
1,243 cases of infection have since been detected in Belgium. Ten people have now died from the effects of the coronavirus.
Follow the latest developments around the virus in us live blog.
The coronavirus in short
- The coronavirus mainly spreads through sneezes and cough drops. The virus can be transmitted directly from person to person or (for a limited time) through surfaces such as door handles.
- An infected person infects two to three others on average. Precautions are necessary to contain this.
- The vast majority of patients have mild (flu-like) complaints.
- Nearly all deaths involve the elderly or other frail, such as heart, lung or diabetes patients. If everyone complies with the measures, this reduces their risks.
- Read here what precautions you should take.
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