Information from our correspondent in Belgium, Jean-Pierre Stroobants:
Belgian police are mobilized on Friday to prevent arrivals on part of the Belgian coast – the “Westkust”, close to the French border. The authorities prohibit the arrival of tourists or people who have a second residence in resorts that are generally very busy during the holiday period (De Panne, Coxyde, Nieuport). The mayors of the localities concerned want to prevent an influx of urban populations, with the risk of transmitting the coronavirus to the key.
A similar measure is in force in the Belgian Ardennes, another traditional holiday region. Near Verviers, in the east of the country, the mayor of Stavelot, Thierry De Bournonville, had gites, rooms and guesthouses closed. A measure intended to counter the influx of Dutch tourists, when their country does not practice containment. Like other officials, Mr De Bournonville criticizes the attitude of the Netherlands government and Dutch tourists accused of acts “Incivism”. The ban should extend to campsites, and perhaps the whole of Walloon territory.
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