As expected, the National Security Council (CNS) started this morning at 9 am at the Palais d’Egmont in Brussels. Around the table are Prime Minister Sophie Wilmès, the vice-prime ministers of the federal government, the minister-presidents of the Regions and Communities of the country, and the experts who report on their report on the continuation of the deconfinement strategy. .
The meeting is important because next Monday, May 11, non-food businesses are expected to reopen. But how do you do it? What filter should you use to avoid a rush to the stores? Should we restrict their access to certain categories of people according to fixed schedules? “Be specific for the customer, the merchant, the employee“declares the federal Minister of Independents and SMEs Denis Ducarme (MR), upon his arrival at the National Security Council.”These three categories must feel comfortable in the deconfinement. It is an essential element“he adds.
What about family reunions?
Beyond the shops, should we expect other announcements? “We will mainly talk about the reopening of shops, says David Clarinval, but there may be some other measures“Ah well? What to expect? The Liberal Deputy Prime Minister does not want to say more.
At its previous meeting on April 24, the National Security Council surprised everyone by not authorizing family reunions anytime soon. It was a surprise because, on the one hand, in their report, the experts argued for this reunion to be possible as of May 4, and, on the other hand, many citizens hoped for “social deconfinement”. It did not happen. Family reunions are postponed in theory in phase 2 of deconfinement, that is, on May 18. Faced with the controversy, Prime Minister Sophie Wilmès explained herself to the House by recalling the risks of the pandemic for older people.
So, should we expect progress at this level today? No one claims it. The participants in the National Security Council do not advance. The question is delicate. They know that there is great hope among the population. We must therefore avoid disappointment.
The Minister-President of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation Pierre-Yves Jeholet (MR) prefers to stress “the excellent work carried out between the Federal government, the federated entities and the experts“, recalling that it is necessary to maintain”an overall balance between all measures“.
Wearing a mandatory mask in public transport
For Federal Minister of Mobility François Bellot (MR), clarity is needed on wearing a mask. If it is mandatory in public transport since Monday, a doubt remains about the airports. “When we see that airlines such as Lufthansa or Air France – KLM request the wearing of masks on their planes, it would make sense to make it compulsory at all airports, but we must do this in a concerted manner at European level“François Bellot will therefore propose to the CNS that such a decision be taken.
A deconfinement strategy in stages
Belgium has opted for progressive deconfinement.
The first phase – said 1 – started on Monday with the revival of activity in the economic sectors, the implementation of mass screening and tracing of contacts of people contaminated by the Regions, the reopening of fabric stores and haberdashery , resumption of non-emergency medical care and certain measures such as the obligation to wear a mask in public transport.
Phase 1b should start next Monday, May 11. This is the stake of the National Security Council of the day.
An agreement has already been concluded between the unions and the Comeos, Union of the Middle Classes and Unizo federations. They agreed on a plan (Phoenix) which describes the measures to be taken and which will be subject to constant evaluation by the social partners.
The document contains guidelines to follow before reopening stores and without which this cannot take place. It includes others for areas accessible only to staff and those open to customers.
The text also includes additional ideas depending on the type of store (baby products, bookstores and stores for electricity, fashion, beauty, interior, kitchen, sports or toys).
►►► Read also : All our info on the coronavirus
But certain modalities could be added, in particular on a distribution of the customers in order to avoid too great an affluence, in particular in the shopping centers, one indicated with good sources.
And sports?
Another sensitive point that should be resolved: sports competitions. The championships are suspended but several federations await a decision from the government to know if they are definitively stopped for this season. In France, the government announced last week that the 2019-2020 season of professional sports, including that of football, could not resume.
To decide, the National Security Council relies on the reports of the Group of Experts in charge of the Exit Strategy (GGES). By deciding to reopen all of the businesses on May 11, the CNS deviated from the conclusions of the GEES which recommended a reopening in two phases, May 4 and May 18.
–
