No fun shopping and no family party: the Consultation Committee has decided this

Our country currently remains in alert phase 4, the very highest phase. According to the models, the figures will not be low enough until mid-January to let the measures go somewhat. After all, a third wave will be even heavier than a second wave, warns Prime Minister Alexander De Croo (Open Vld).

Stores

Non-essential stores may open again from Tuesday December 1. However, the shopping should only be done and as short as possible. Fun shopping is therefore out of the question. Store operators will be held responsible for ensuring that queues for their business are properly regulated, and customers must respect distance rules.

“We count on everyone’s sense of responsibility,” Prime Minister De Croo emphasizes. “That of the traders, of the local authorities, but also of all of us. When shopping, stick to the basic rules: disinfect your hands, wear your face mask. If there are too many people, come back at a quieter time. ”

Museums and swimming pools

Museums may again receive visitors from Tuesday. Of course with respect for the distance rules.

Swimming pools are also reopening. Contact professions, such as hairdressers and beauticians, will still have to be patient.

Holidays

Christmas will look different this year, Prime Minister De Croo confirms. “We will celebrate with our own family, with fewer people, on a smaller scale and more intimate.”

“We want to make sure that no one will have to be alone on Christmas Eve,” De Croo assures. Singles will therefore be able to invite their two close contacts at the same time on 24 or 25 December. That will be the only relaxation for the holidays. The curfew continues to apply and there will also be a national fireworks ban on New Year’s Eve.

Border controls

Prime Minister De Croo emphasizes that caution is advised when traveling abroad. Non-essential travel is strongly discouraged.

The government also decides to maintain border controls. Among other things, it will be checked whether the Passenger Locator Form has been completed. For example, it must be monitored whether quarantine measures for travelers from the red zone are respected.

Horeca

In principle, the catering industry must remain closed until 1 February. An evaluation is scheduled for 15 January. The reasoning behind this is that we will not be in a safe zone until January 15.

See also: ‘Glad that science was listened to’

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