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This article is frequently updated with the latest developments.
While Belgium held the position in Europe for the time being in terms of COVID-19 infections from 10 to 11 October, Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke said it can ensure that there will be no blockade at the moment.
“It’s not easy. I can’t anticipate the facts, but I can reluctantly announce a complicated fall,” Vandenbroucke told VTM News on October 11. When asked if he would rule out a new blockage, he said he “can’t secure anything. “
“The only thing I can assure you is that if we paint in combination and do the same things, we have the ability to achieve what we have to achieve: keep schools open, run businesses, and allow hospitals to manage,” he added.
His comments came after Belgium recorded the current number of infections in line with another 100,000 people in Europe over the weekend.
On October 8, prominent virologist Marc Van Ranst warned that a new blockage may occur if the number of COVID-19 infections does not begin to be minimized within 10 to 12 days. “If the number of infections and hospitalizations does not start to fall within ten to twelve days, there is only one option left: a blockade,” Van Ranst told Het Laatste Nieuws, noting that another blockade would be possible.
The new Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo (Open VLD) had already ensured that he would demand a full blockade, but considerations are being developed in the face of the recent case outbreak.
New COVID-19 measures
The Belgian capital, which registers the maximum of new COVID-19 infections, closes bars and cafes for a month but allows restaurants to remain open, Brussels Minister-President Rudi Vervoort (PS) announced on 7 October.
Brussels hospitals have called for the transfer of patients to the least frequented outdoor hospitals in Brussels in neighbouring provinces, Belgian media reports.
This practice may be widespread if the number of hospitalizations continues to increase. Brussels hospitals are far from saturated, but say the measure is mandatory if they need to continue operating normally. If the pandemic worsens, Brussels plans to dedicate 50% beds of care to COVID patients.
Nationally, the Belgian government tightened restrictions on COVID-1nine, which took effect at the end of the week, to counter a strong build-up of infections across the country. As of October 9, meetings where social estating regulations do not The application will be reduced to a maximum of 3 instead of the last five In households, personal meetings will be reduced to a maximum of 4 more people in addition to a circle of family members and bars and cafes should close at 11 p. m.
A ‘worrying trend’
On 23 September, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) moved the organization of “worrying trends” to Belgium as it faces a moderate threat of COVID-19.
However, Belgium is ending the requirement to wear an outdoor mask and reducing other people’s time to isolate themselves, in a slight easing of the coronavirus restrictions announced on 23 September despite a sharp increase in the number of COVID-19 infections.
Masks deserve to be worn in shops, cinemas, public transport and busy streets.
To make matters worse, the Belgian Red Cross warned that the country’s hospitals would run out of blood in two weeks, RTBF reported.
Fearing the pandemic, many donors have stopped donating blood. The Red Cross has appealed to blood donors that Belgian hospitals urgently need 2,000 bottles of blood.
A long-term coloring plan for the country?
At its meeting on 23 September, the Belgian National Security Council will discuss a long-term colour-code plan and the adjustment of “social bubbles”.
Experts advising the National Security Council have reportedly recommended a color-coded formula for which it is in position in Ireland, where it has the 4 colors blue, yellow, orange and red, according to the “threat level” of the coronavirus.
This includes a number of parameters, such as the number of infections consistent with 100,000 inhabitants, the number of hospitalizations and the number of patients with COVID-19 in intensive care.
Also on the table is a so-called “budget contact” that would allow a color code for the number of other people one may be in contact with, thus reformulating the existing measure prohibiting meetings of more than five.
Meanwhile, travelers from Amsterdam, Vienna and Budapest as the provinces of France and Croatia will arrive from the so-called “red zones” from four o’clock in the afternoon. 18 September, according to the latest update of the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
As a result, the country will no longer allow them to be not essential to these areas, and control and quarantine will be mandatory upon return.
PM calls on Belgians to comply with COVID-19 measures
Prime Minister Sophie Wilms (MR) on Tuesday about the Belgians in a video message to comply with existing COVID-19 restrictions.
In particular, it is about maintaining a social distance, dressing in an oral mask and restricting social contact.
He said the most recent figures were “alarming,” but that more difficult action would be taken at this time. However, he suggested that everyone assume duty and respect regulations “before it is too late. “
Fear of the “mini” wave
Belgium is about to launch the “mini” wave of summer coronavirus moment, which can still be contained if the government takes appropriate action, Yves Van Laethem of the Sciensan Institute of Public Health told RTBF.
“We are in a dynamic that shows that we are on the threshold of the moment of the mini wave of summer,” he added.
On average, another 680 people a day tested positive in Belgium in the week of 7-13 September, according to the latest Sciensano figures presented on Monday.
According to the figures, the trend of new infections is consistent with the day 2% rose to 2% between and 10 September.
Color-coded systems require greater coordination
Differences in color-coded threat systems between Belgium and France are “extremely confusing,” warned West Flanders province governor Carl Decaluwé, and suggested that EU countries coordinate.
Decaluwé’s comments come at a time when France’s border towns are involved in COVID-19 infections on both sides and the movement of others across their borders.
“There’s not much we can do right now,” Decaluwé told VRT, adding that “as long as the region remains orange, we can’t take additional action. “
Earlier this month, the European Commission proposed a set of recommendations to avoid discriminatory measures implemented across member states in a new attempt to harmonize fragmented COVID-19 restrictions across the bloc.
Police measures
Since 1 July, local Brussels police have issued a total of 1,537 minutes to dress in an oral mask in public, according to figures presented through the mayor of Brussels, Philippe Close.
Due to the beginning of a wave of moments, the costumes of the mask have gradually become mandatory in more positions and since 12 August in the Brussels region.
Meanwhile, press meetings at the Belgian crisis center will be reduced from 3 to one according to the week, Yves Stevens from the National Crisis Center told the Belgian news agency, while the coronavirus figures have been solid in recent weeks.
“We continue to talk about the figures on the basis, however, the interpretation that is given lately 3 times a week in a press convention will now only take position once a week, on Wednesdays,” he said.
Open Vld leader Egbert Lachaert, who lately is exploring features for potential coalition governments for a new federal government, tested positive for COVID-19 on September 8, meaning that everyone who participated in the negotiations, and his assistants, will have to check COVID-19, adding To King Philip.
Vaccines imaginable until March
In the spring, Belgium can expect its first batch of COVID-19 vaccines, xavier De Cuyper, director general of the Belgian Medicines Agency (AFMPS), said on 2 September.
However, the country will face the complicated selection of opting for the first people to vaccinate, De Cuyper added. “Based on all the data I have, I dare say that in March 2021, we may have a vaccine opposed to COVID. “19 in Bélgica. Es a realistic deadline,” De Cuyper told Het Laatste Nieuws.
“A first European delivery will involve 50 million doses. Belgium will get about 1. 2 million,” he told the newspaper.
Each country will have to make possible options for the first people to be empused. “It will be a complicated discussion. There will be a lot of tension in all sectors,” De Cuyper said.
On Monday (31 August) a Belgian government plan was introduced to bring domestic tourism to life, with programmes for loose train passes even though everything opened after a few months of delay.
The launch of the COVID-19 national monitoring app was postponed for a week as developers are awaiting an EU opinion, Karin Moykens of the Interfederal Testing Committee showed
Previously, other people landing at Brussels airport returning from a “red zone” will be tested at the site “from the end of this week or the beginning of the next one,” Le Soir reports.
“The tests will be analyzed in the cellular lab, which will cause the effects to be had in a few hours,” Brussels airport said on its website.
The communication added that the control centre will also be available to passengers from countries requiring negative COVID-19 control at the entrance. Research is under way to expand the same type of service (at least around the corner) at Charleroi Airport, according to RTBF.
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