Recommendations to “stronger measures” against the coronavirus in Belgium: between the beginning of the week and this Thursday, there was with us as a clear boost in the management of what should be called a pandemic. Prime Minister announces transition to “enhanced phase 2” on Monday. Tuesday, with the Minister-Presidents, it was about “recommendations“, with measures of social distancing. “We assess the situation day by day“said Sophie Wilmès. And so, this Thursday evening, the National Security Council (CNS) must take further action.
What happened between Tuesday and Thursday?
From various sources, we have learned that there is a certain dissonance between the recommendations of the RMG (Risk Management Group) scientists and the decisions taken by the political world. To the point that since Tuesday, behind the scenes, some scientists did not hide a certain anger: the measures taken were insufficient. This morning, virologist Marc Van Ranst the declared “cash” to the newspaper De Morgen : “If the politicians don’t want to say it, then I do it: we must ban all events“.
Why this untimely exit? It comes back to us that during Tuesday’s CNS, there was the will, among some participants, not to take too strong measures, so as not to damage economic growth, a demand, we are told, stronger side Flemish. But the first deaths, the number of cases diagnosed on the rise, the prospect of a peak in sickness at the end of the month and, among other things, decisions made by our neighbors, have accelerated political awareness.
The fact, too, that some sports federations, some associations, the universities, have taken the lead in announcing event cancellations or closings, which could force the federal government. The latter, aware that a risk of “à la carte” management of the coronavirus on Belgian territory, could therefore be forced to act. This is why one of the decisions that the CNS should take concerns the “federal phase” of crisis management.
The federal government now on the front line
The “federal phase” of crisis management makes it possible to put in place homogeneous measures, coordinated at the federal level, by the Minister of the Interior and in turn, the provinces and the mayors. This phase makes it possible to take public order and administrative police measures: close links, restrict access. Clear out.
Until now, this step had been postponed by the political world, because it means that Belgium is switching to “crisis” management. This mode will have repercussions on activity in Belgium, particularly economic. This is what guided the fear of the highest political authorities. Interior Minister CD & V Pieter De Crem to take over.
Remember this Tuesday’s press conference. With the Prime Minister who said “recommend to ban“, while those who have the capacity to prohibit are the governors and mayors. Here, we are changing the paradigm.
The last time that the “federal phase” of crisis management was launched, it was in the aftermath of the attacks of March 22, 2016. With this procedure, three modes of organization are engaged:
- Evaluation unit made up of experts
- Management unit with the relevant ministers
- Information unit
The federal phase also means that it is interdepartmental and interdisciplinary management. Each administration department sets up a crisis unit. Everyone is on deck.
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