All stores in Belgium will be able to open again under conditions from 11 May, Prime Minister Sophie Wilmès reports on Wednesday during a press conference of the National Security Council. Belgians may also receive a limited visit at home.
In the shops, a maximum of one customer per 10 square meters applies after the reopening. In addition, the visit to a store may take no more than half an hour and everyone in the shops must also keep a sufficient distance from each other.
Belgians are not supposed to go shopping together. Only minors and persons in need of assistance may be accompanied. In addition, everyone is urged to shop only near their home or workplace.
Shoppers are strongly advised to wear a mask, but are not obliged to do so. Wearing face masks is currently only mandatory in public transport, airports and schools. Children under the age of twelve do not have to wear masks at school.
The Belgian authorities are “putting everything in motion” to distribute free fabric masks soon.
Belgian people may receive visitors
It has also been announced that Belgians may receive four visitors from 11 May. Now they can walk or exercise outside with up to two others. “You can invite four people, but those four people can only come to you,” the explanation sounds. “Preferably outside, for example on your terrace or in your garden.”
The National Security Council emphasizes that no visit is allowed if any of the persons involved is ill. Special attention is also requested for the elderly and other vulnerable persons.
Although travel may be restricted, there are no rules regarding the distances visitors travel. The reason for this is that a visit can be essential. The Belgian population still has to stay at home as much as possible and work from home.
Measures remain ‘for a long time’
Wilmès emphasizes that the corona measures must remain “for a long time”. “But what worked well for a few weeks cannot last indefinitely,” she says. “The consequences for society are too heavy for that. The winding down is a very delicate exercise.”
8,016 people died in Belgium from the effects of the corona virus. A total of 50,509 persons were or were infected. The peak of the virus outbreak can be seen in hospitals, among others. The number of new admissions per day was five times higher at the end of March than now.
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