The time for pedagogy is over, the time has come for sanctions.
This is in essence the message delivered on Friday evening by Prime Minister Sophie Wilmès (MR) after a meeting of the National Security Council, which took stock of measures to limit the spread of the coronavirus.
No new containment measure announced. However, those already in force are extended by two weeks, until April 19, the end of the Easter holidays. According to Sophie Wilmès, this extension is necessary to avoid saturation of hospitals. Certainly, the exponential growth of new hospitalizations is slowing down a bit. An encouraging sign. But that does not prevent the total number of people hospitalized from continuing to increase. The Prime Minister has previously announced that an extension of the containment measures for another two weeks, until May 3, is on the table. The decision will be made in due course, but we sense that there is little doubt …
“Experts agree that it is too early to say with certainty that the epidemic is under control. Our efforts are just beginning
, launched Ms. Wilmès.
According to experts, in terms of hospitalizations or ICU admissions, we have not yet seen the end of the tunnel, which is why we are asking that everyone respect the rules.“
Besides, “we will ensure that these measures are respected, she warned. I want to be very clear: if the rules are not followed, sanctions are and will continue to be applied. “ And to announce that “we will put in place in the short term a system of immediate collection of fines”. The details of this system are not yet known.
“We are no longer at the prevention level. Respect for the rules is fundamental
, hammered the head of government
.
There are still people who do not understand the gravity of the situation, who undermine all our efforts by organizing
lockdown games
. These festivals have important health consequences. I know that many young people do not feel concerned. When you are young, you feel invincible. But two weeks ago there were young people in cafes and today some of them end up in intensive care. This is the reality. “
Daycare at school, even at Easter
All the containment measures are detailed on the site info-coronavirus.be . The Prime Minister has reviewed those who have been questioned in recent days. Thus, for companies operating in a non-essential sector, teleworking is compulsory. If this cannot be organized, the rules of social distancing (1.5 meters between each individual) must be guaranteed. Otherwise, the business must close. But there were requests, especially from unions, that the list, considered too broad, of companies evolving in an essential sector be tightened. The list will be updated in a few days and “we hope for the support of the social partners”said Mrs. Wilmès.
Finally, she indicated that the daycare system planned in the schools will be maintained during the Easter holidays. For establishments where this is not possible, another form of daycare may be organized, but children who were kept together must continue to be cared for together. The goal is to avoid mixing them with other children. Again, the practical details will have to be specified.
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