Belgium goes into total confinement on Wednesday at noon!

Belgians are asked to stay at home to avoid the spread of the coronavirus, decided the National Security Council. It is requested to limit travel to the essentials (health, food, bank, pharmacy, post office, gas, help to people in need), stores will be closed except pharmacies, food and pet food stores as well as bookstores. The cribs remain open. Meetings are prohibited.

Companies will have to practice teleworking for all the functions that allow it. For other functions, a social distance must be observed between workers at the workplace and in transport organized by the company. If these measures cannot be implemented, the business must close.

The measures apply from Wednesday noon until April 5.

Here, in details, the measures that have been taken

– Belgium will be in containment from this Wednesday at noon, announced on Tuesday the Wallonia Crisis Center on its Twitter account. Full containment will apply until April 5 minimum.

– The situation has changed compared to the last measures that had been taken. So the government had to take tough new measures.

– Citizens are required to stay at home in order to avoid maximum contact with the exception of their immediate family. Except for going to work and a few trips like going to the grocery store, going to the bank, pharmacy, doctor, helping people in need and getting gas.

– Sports activities such as jogging, walking or cycling will be allowed. Taking in the air will also be possible, but in a restricted circle. Outdoor physical activity is not discouraged, it is even recommended to some extent. It can be practiced with family members living under the same roof or a friend, while respecting a reasonable distance between people.

– Note that a whole family can go out together. A person’s accuracy only applies to friends.

– All gatherings are prohibited!

– Companies will have to practice teleworking for all the functions that allow it. For other functions, a social distance must be observed between workers at the workplace and in transport organized by the company. If these measures cannot be implemented, the business must close.

– Companies active in a vital sector will continue to operate, but they are also asked to respect the social distance between workers.

– With the exception of food stores, pharmacies, pet food stores and bookstores, all stores will be closed!

– Access to supermarkets will be regulated. One person per 10 square meters is allowed and for a maximum of 30 minutes.

– Deliveries and take-away are still possible

– Night shops can remain open until 10 p.m. but always respecting social distancing.

– Hair salons remain open but cannot accommodate more than one client at a time.

– The outdoor markets will have to close. Only food stalls are allowed where necessary.

– Cafes must bring in their patio furniture.

– The police services will ensure that these measures are respected.

– The situation remains unchanged for schools.

– The nurseries remain open

– Non-essential foreign travel is prohibited.

– Public transport must guarantee social distancing.

“These decisions are difficult, they are not taken lightly but the evolution of the situation forces us to do so”, underlined the Prime Minister, Sophie Wilmès, surrounded by the Walloon, Brussels, Flemish, German-speaking and German ministers-presidents. Wallonia-Brussels Federation.

“I am fully aware of the effort required of you but you must understand that it is essential to put this test behind us,” said Sophie Wilmès.

Citizens are also invited to keep informed of the health status of their loved ones. “Check that your loved ones are well. Social distance must not be synonymous with social disruption, ”said the Prime Minister.

Additional measures

The CNS had already met last Thursday and had taken a series of important restrictive measures concerning schools, catering establishments and recreational, cultural, sporting and folkloric activities.

Earlier today, Prime Minister Sophie Wilmès asked parliament for confidence. Before the House, she had called not only the political world to unity but also the population, insisting on the “sense of responsibility” and “good citizenship” which should animate everyone in the face of the coronavirus crisis.

Containment in France

France has implemented “the strictest containment measures in Europe” since Tuesday noon. Interior Minister Christophe Castaner clarified that all “collective activities were prohibited” in an attempt to stem the coronavirus pandemic.

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