27 november 2020
18:12
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Shops and museums may reopen on Tuesday and singles may invite two other people during the holidays. The Consultation Committee has decided that.
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The most important federal and regional ministers have agreed in the Consultation Committee on the adjustment of the corona measures. Prime Minister Alexander De Croo (Open VLD) will explain the measures at a press conference at 7 pm.
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De Tijd learned that non-essential stores, which have been closed since the beginning of this month, can reopen on Tuesday. There are, however, a number of conditions for which reference is made to the regulation from the spring. During the relaxation at the time, stores were asked to limit the number of customers that are in at the same time. Measures will also be taken to prevent it from becoming too busy in shopping streets and shopping centers.
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Political unanimity quickly emerged about the reopening of the stores, as virologists did not object either. After all, the contamination figures show that the closing of the stores had little impact, which may indicate that people are not likely to get infected while shopping.
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Museums and swimming pools open again
In addition to the shops, museums may also be able to open their doors again. Like shops, it is about controlled areas: it is possible to monitor how many people are allowed in and to keep sufficient distance.
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Swimming pools can also reopen, with the exception of subtropical swimming paradises. Contact professions, such as hairdressers, are not allowed to start again. The risk of infections is considered too great for them.
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Singles
There is also a solution for the holidays. Singles are allowed to invite up to two other people at once, so no one has to spend Christmas alone. Until now, single people, like families, were allowed to receive only one person at a time. This rule remains in force for families, making it a Christmas in small groups, as expected.
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Other relaxations are for later. For example, the aim is to reopen the cafes and restaurants on 1 February, but the final decision will not be made until mid-January.
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For further relaxation, the plan is being followed that Corona Commissioner Pedro Facon has worked out and that should replace the never introduced corona barometer. That plan provides a lot of barriers to avoid easing the moment figures start to rise, as happened in September.
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