“We think that this is really not the time to have phase 5,” she told the press after leaving the meeting at the Egmont Palace. “There will be reinforcements (measures taken to counter the spread of the coronavirus, instead of relief, editor’s note), added Ms. De Block (Open Vld), stressing that certain measures were not sufficiently respected. The goal is to prepare for Thursday a ministerial decree – to be taken by the Minister of the Interior, Pieter De Crem (CD&V) – to confirm the measures to be taken by the CNS, while the evolution of the Covid-19 pandemic is qualified of “worrying” by a government source, with a significant rebound, but often localized. Ms. De Block specified that the measures could be “national”, such as a more generalized wearing of the mouth mask in public places and in public services, or “local”, where sources of contamination have recently been observed, such as in Antwerp.
The mayors of the municipalities will be more involved, for his part said Walloon Minister-President Elio Di Rupo (PS), while confirming that no decision had been taken on Tuesday. Thirty-five percent of the new cases identified in Belgium were in the metropolis, a government source said, confirming that there would be “no phase 5” of deconfinement “in the state current things “. Other villages and communities are also concerned by this increase in new contaminations, however stressed Ms. De Block, insisting on the need for “social control”.
The approach is “rather micro-local”, “much more targeted”, with “strict compliance with the measures that we have already decided and which in a number of places are not respected”, explained Mr. Di Rupo. . He spoke of “relaxation” in the face of social distancing measures recommended by the authorities in certain places, such as around certain cafes or in Walloon tourist towns. “The mayors are doing what they can and therefore we must help them to take the most appropriate decisions”, added the Minister-President, announcing “a strengthening and controls and sanctions” by the CNS on Thursday.
According to figures released on Tuesday by the Sciensano Public Health Institute, Belgium records an average of 175.1 new infections with the coronavirus every day, an increase of 79% during the period from July 11 to 17 compared to the seven previous days. The increase is observed in all provinces, with the exception of Walloon Brabant. During this period, 1,226 new confirmed cases were reported. Twenty patients died from Covid-19 during the week. On average, 2.9 people lose their lives every day in Belgium due to this disease. This figure, calculated between July 11 and 17, is up 82% from the previous period. Since mid-March, 9,805 deaths have been attributed to the coronavirus.
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