News and Events -----------

A very Happy Belgian Bank Holiday Monday to you! Your COVID-19 selected news snippets for Monday 1 June 2020.

The National Security Council (NSC) will be meeting on Wednesday 3 June and, amongst other thing, will be considering the new measures required for the catering sector. The federal government and the hospitality industry have prepared a restart guide. "Account has been taken of restaurants that would like to organise two shifts in succession," said Minister Muylle. The NSC will consider measures including mandatory closing time at midnight, tables should be 1.5 meters apart in both cafés and restaurants; reservations to be mandatory for a restaurant and for cafes either a reservation is made or at least one person at a table must contact details. Ordering or sitting at the bar will not be allowed - staff, with a mask, will serve you at the table. Menus will be banned instead look at the chalk boards etc. And restaurants may not offer a bread basket, butter dish, salt and pepper, oil and vinegar, etc – all such items must be individually packaged portions. Catering and hotel sector expects 45 % fewer customers when it reopens.

The borders with the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Germany are now open for family visits and shopping, but not the French border. Belgium in favour of opening the internal borders of Europe from June 15. Interior Minister Pieter De Crem announced this on Friday night on his Facebook page.

Everyone will be able to get tested for the presence of antibodies against the coronavirus says Minister of Health Maggie De Block.

A second wave of the corona pandemic will be "highly likely", says Herman Goossens, Antwerp professor and internationally renowned microbiologist, specialised in antibiotic resistance. And he is worried about research on covid-19 treatments. "We don't know which products will help when the second wave starts," he says.

However, when asked whether the phasing out of the corona measures is not going too fast, virologist Steven Van Gucht says: “We are now nineteen days further. That is enough to see a possible effect. And the numbers are still good. We see no effect of the relaxation for the time being.”

Only 4.7 % of blood donors have antibodies to the coronavirus, according to residual samples from the Red Cross that Sciensano has been investigating since late March. The number has not increased since the measurements at the end of April, which means that there is still no question of group immunity.

End of lockdown in residential care centres: new admissions to the old people’s homes will be allowed from 8 June. Since 12 March it has not been possible for residential care centres to welcome new guests.

GDP contracted by 3.6 % in the first quarter of 2020 according to the National Bank of Belgium.

Brussels market news: the Abattoirs outside market in Anderlecht reopened on Thursday with 50 stalls for a first 4-day weekend until Sunday. Indoors, the Foodmet, considered a shopping centre, had already started up again the weekend of May 21 with a capacity limited to some 300 visitors. No satisfactory solution has yet been found for the marché du midi. The Chaussée d'Anvers market should reopen on Wednesday, taking turns with the merchants of Place Emile Bockstael the following weekend. The flea market at Place du Jeu de Balle remains closed.

Coastal mayors need "More time … to properly organise the arrival of day visitors."

One in three Belgians will opt for a holiday in their own country this year.

Brussels: fines return for non-compliance with the low-emission zone from 1 July. These fines were temporarily suspended in response to the coronavirus epidemic.

From June 15, tourists and travellers from 29 countries will be allowed to re-enter Greece without quarantining, the Ministry of Tourism announced. Belgium (or UK) is not one of those countries.

The Bishops' Conference of the Catholic Church, in collaboration with the exit strategy expert group, has developed a detailed protocol with safety regulations for a resumption of public celebrations in the churches. In a first phase, a maximum of one hundred participants per celebration is allowed.

Sciensano virus stats update of 1 June. 136 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Belgium over the past 24 hours of which 26 (19%) were in Brussels. To date, a total of 58 517 confirmed cases have been reported in Belgium with 5 947 (10%) cases located in Brussels.

In the past 24 hours, only 25 patients with COVID-19 have been hospitalised and 32 people left hospital. Between 15 March and 31 May, a total of 17 297 patients with COVID-19 have entered hospital and 15 919 people have left.

19 new deaths from COVID-19 in Belgium have been reported in the past 24 hours of which 4 (21%) were in Brussels. To date, a total 9 486 deaths from the disease have been reported in Belgium of which 1 463 (15%) were in Brussels.

Currently 163 COVID-19 patients are in intensive care units in Belgian hospitals.

Read the daily report (in French) here.

Useful Links

Federal Government COVID-19 information

The Bulletin's COVID-19 webpage (updated daily)

COVID-19 selected news snippets for Thursday 28 May 2020.

New measures for education were announced as of last night (27 May):

For kindergartens: All kindergarten years can reopen from June 2. The pre-schoolers are taught as was the case before corona. So they are taught in their entire class and the teacher should not wear a mask. A mouth mask is recommended for contacts between teachers. Respecting the safety distance is not required.

For primary schools: All primary school years can reopen from June 8. A trial day is possible from June 5. Students should not wear a mask, but it is recommended for teachers if they cannot keep sufficient distance. ‘Contact bubbles’ are used in class. It is the intention that even outside the classroom the bubbles stay together as much as possible - in the playground, for example.

For secondary schools: From the June 2, in addition to the sixth-year students (and possibly seventh-year students), the second and fourth year-students can also come to school two days a week. Pupils of the first, third and fifth years of secondary school will have to come a few more days this school year, with a minimum of one day, to be able to close the school year in their familiar class. Students and teachers are strongly advised to wear a mouth mask. In secondary education, the distance rules still apply: four square meters per student and lessons in fixed classrooms in fixed groups of maximum 14 students. Only for certain practical subjects can students move to other classrooms.

The above is "a maximum scenario". Schools can always deviate from this depending on the local circumstances and safety situation.

ICYMI The World Health Organization has paused the use of hydroxychloroquine in its global study of COVID-19 treatments amid a review of safety data. Belgian public health institution Sciensano has changed its guidelines for hospitalised coronavirus patients. It now strongly discourages the use of the antimalarial drug hydroxychloroquine.

Nearly 70 % of Europeans believe the European Union should be empowered to deal with crises such as the corona pandemic, says a survey the European Parliament conducted among 20 000+ EU citizens.

The catering industry will not reopen before June 8, confirms the Minister of Economy.

Only 6 % of the Belgian population has been exposed to the coronavirus, warns virologist Steven Van Gucht. This means that 94 % of the population can still be infected. “This is the harsh reality: the virus still has a large open play area where it can wreak havoc.” Backing this up in early May, only 8.4 % of health workers in Belgian hospitals had antibodies according to a study by Sciensano and the Institute of Tropical Medicine.

In contrast "A very large majority" of patients with a minor form of COVID-19 develop antibodies that could then immunise them "for several weeks" against the disease, according to a study by the Institut Pasteur and the Strasbourg University Hospital.

Red Cross Flanders urgently needs blood donors. Before the corona crisis, the Red Cross had more than 400 donors daily, now barely 200. The extended Pentecost weekend is imminent and there is currently too little stock. The Red Cross is also seeking plasma donations from people who have recovered from COVIDd-19.

In Woluwe-Saint-Lambert some 80 000 masks have been distributed in letter boxes this week, but more than one in two Brussels residents do not wear a mask.

Playgrounds are open again for under-13s.

The exotic market on Saturday and the Vogelenmarkt on Sunday will start again in Antwerp this weekend.

The catering sector calls for urgent measures such as a form of VAT reduction. The unions even propose to make restaurant costs 100 percent deductible for private individuals as well. Preparing for the restart, 200 catering establishments in Brussels have already requested terrace extensions.

The National Union of Landlords and Co-owners (SNPC) is opposing the extension of the moratorium on home evictions until August 31 in the Brussels-Capital Region.

The arrival and departure halls of Brussels Airport are open again for people who pick up or drop off passengers, but masks are required. The federal police can still close access to the arrival hall on certain repatriation flights to avoid too many people in the hall.

In Brussels rush hour is reemerging and De Lijn, STIB and NMBS are seeing a steady increase in occupancy. Buses in Flanders have a passenger occupancy of 25-30%. SNCB has 20 % of its normal number of travellers. Brussels public transport company STIB sees its passenger numbers rise from 22 % to 28 % in the metro and to 30 % 'above ground'.

More than 50 STIB drivers paid tribute to their colleague who died of COVID-19. The company now plans to test its staff for the virus.

Zeebrugge and Blankenberge want to work together to spread tourists across their beaches. If you want to sunbathe on the beach of Blankenberge this summer, you will have to do so behind a wind break and a maximum of 10 000 people will be admitted, one-third of the nominal high summer capacity.

The Bois de la Cambre will partially reopen to car traffic today (Thursday) in a classic Belgian compromise. The park will remain largely car-free until the end of the summer. The two roads at the northern end of the park have reopened to motorists from Monday to Saturday until the end of August. The south of the park will remain car-free and open to recreational activities.

Brussels Airlines will resume its flights (gradually) from 15 June. By the end of August, the airline will again offer some 60 destinations in 33 countries. Those who have already booked a flight, but couldn’t take it, can rebook their ticket free of charge until the end of 2021.

The contact tracking app is back on the health ministers' agenda. The proposed technology behind it is the same as in other European countries and is as privacy friendly as possible. Live tests of the tracing application that will help trace the contacts of a coronavirus patient are expected to take place in early July.

City of Brussels confirms that the football cup final between Antwerp and Club Brugge will take place on August 1 without an audience.

Sciensano statistics update of 28 May. 257 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Belgium over the past 24 hours of which 28 (11%) were in Brussels. To date, a total of 57 849 confirmed cases have been reported in Belgium with 5 870 (10%) cases located in Brussels.

In the past 24 hours, some 47 patients with COVID-19 have been hospitalised and 107 people left hospital. Between 15 March and 27 May, a total of 17 174 patients with COVID-19 have entered hospital and 15 572 people have left.

31 new deaths from COVID-19 in Belgium have been reported in the past 24 hours of which 3 (10%) were in Brussels. To date, a total 9 388 deaths from the disease have been reported in Belgium of which 1 437 (15%) were in Brussels.

Currently 208 COVID-19 patients are in intensive care units in Belgian hospitals.

Read the daily report (in French) here.

Useful Links

Federal Government COVID-19 information

The Bulletin's COVID-19 webpage (updated daily)

COVID-19 selected news snippets for Monday, 25 May 2020.

What are the new measures as of today (25 May)?:

• Academies for part-time art education can restart in phases.
• Parents and prospective students, who do not have access to digital alternatives, can visit a school for a guided tour, for example. The visits must take place when there are no pupils in the school, can only take place after an individual appointment.
• Limited visits are possible in prisons: one visit per prisoner per week, preferably the same person, no minors and with distance.
• The visiting arrangements in psychiatric care homes and residential rehabilitation facilities are expanding. From now on, several people from the same contact bubble can visit and the residents can leave the facility for activities or for a day visit or an overnight stay. Residents can once again take individual days of leave in psychiatric care homes. They are also given the opportunity to do an activity with two other people outside the facility. Group and sports activities can also be restarted under certain conditions. The facilities can determine themselves whether and when these visits and activities are possible.
• Minors and adults with a disability who have stayed with their care provider or home day and night since the lockdown, can gradually go back temporarily for one or more days, or vice versa, to their care provider.
• The local services can reopen their doors for one-on-one services, such as hairdresser, pedicure and manicure, takeaway and psychosocial support.

National Security Council will meet on June 3. The focus will be on the cultural, catering and sports sectors.

Interior Minister Pieter De Crem repeated that border controls will certainly not be lifted before 8 June. But at the same time, he made it clear that visiting family in neighbouring countries will be possible sooner.

Temporary unemployed is not as expensive as expected. Minister of Work Nathalie Muylle proposes to extend the temporary unemployment due to the crisis until the end of August. Temporary unemployment in March and April cost EUR 1.3 billion, according to figures from the minister, while a cost of up to EUR 3 billion was expected.

In the last quarter, some 44 % fewer 'classic' hospital admissions with overnight accommodation were made in hospitals. 76 % of the planned operations have been postponed and two-thirds of consultations have been cancelled.

70 % of residential care centres are now virus free.

There were 51 % more deaths than normal between March 16 and early May in Belgium equivalent to some 7 794 ‘excess’ deaths.)

Youth summer camps and courses may take place from 1 July with a maximum of 50 participants.

Teleworking is applied more in Belgium than in other European countries according to an SD Worx survey. Belgium is one of the European countries where a large proportion (62 %) of the working population is teleworking during confinement. The average for six European countries (Germany, Belgium, Spain, France, Netherlands and United Kingdom) is 57 %.

Horeca (hotels, restaurants, cafés) Flanders fears loss of 20 000 to 36 000 jobs. With the Dutch catering industry reopening on 1 June, the pressure in Flanders is also increasing. Horeca Flanders urges clarity for the more than 60 000 catering entrepreneurs. Restaurants, bars are advocating for a reduction in VAT to 6% for one year.

Foreign tourists are welcome again in Spain from July.

French local politicians want a quick reopening of the border with Belgium. Several MPs, senators and local politicians in the French Ardennes and the president of the Grand Est region urged the French government on Friday to urgently reopen the Franco-Belgian border. They point to the economic difficulties facing the region, which was already struggling before the outbreak of the corona crisis.

France regrets the measure taken by Britain to impose a mandatory 14-day quarantine on visitors from mainland Europe and is now considering introducing a similar measure for visitors making the reverse move to France. The measure would have no implications for Belgians crossing the French border.

Anyone arriving in Ireland from Thursday will be required to notify the authorities of where he or she spends 14 days of quarantine.

The authorities may reopen neighbourhood playgrounds in the open air from Wednesday, 27 May. Larger playgrounds in parks can also open again when a maximum of 20 children can be guaranteed.

Sciensano statistics update of 25 May. 250 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Belgium over the past 24 hours of which 25 (10%) were in Brussels. To date, a total of 57 342 confirmed cases have been reported in Belgium with 5 811 (10%) cases located in Brussels.

In the past 24 hours, some 27 patients with COVID-19 have been hospitalised and 25 people left hospital. Between 15 March and 24 May, a total of 17 052 patients with COVID-19 have entered hospital and 15 297 people have left.

32 new deaths from COVID-19 in Belgium have been reported in the past 24 hours of which 4 (12%) were in Brussels. To date, a total 9 312 deaths from the disease have been reported in Belgium of which 1 427 (15%) were in Brussels.

Currently 251 COVID-19 patients are in intensive care units in Belgian hospitals.

Read the daily report (in French) here.

Useful links

Federal Government COVID-19 information

The Bulletin's COVID-19 webpage (updated daily) 

The current coronavirus crisis has reminded us how much we rely on each other, how much society and community matter, and how much kindness and selflessness can contribute to our common good. The British Charitable Fund (BCF) in Belgium has been an exemplar of that approach for over 200 years, helping countless people through tough times.

The BCF was founded in 1815, at the request of the Duke of Wellington, to help injured soldiers and their dependants who remained in Belgium after the Battle of Waterloo. Today, the organisation continues this work to help British nationals and their dependants in Belgium in times of need.

People come to the BCF in times of personal crisis. They may be young or old, long-term residents in Belgium or new arrivals, and they come from all walks of life (see the case studies below). The BCF is non-denominational and non-judgemental, and simply does what it takes to get lives back on track.

The problems people encounter are many and varied and can turn lives upside down. For instance, coping with administrative issues when grieving the loss of a spouse can often be daunting, and loneliness and isolation (often coupled with poverty) can be longer-term problems for many people, not necessarily the elderly. Language barriers only add to difficulties and Brexit has added yet another layer of uncertainty and anxiety for many people, often the most vulnerable amongst us.

“As a result of Brussels’ situation at the heart of the EU, many British people have, over the past forty years, made Belgium their permanent home and whilst many live comfortable, long lives, this is not the case for all, and old-age, failing health and financial issues can quickly turn secure situations into a real struggle to get by,” says BCF Chairperson Julie Huckle. “Also, many people suffer from the pressures of modern-day life, and addiction and family issues can take a serious toll too. Each of our beneficiaries has a unique story, no two cases are the same and it is always good to know that, no matter what the situation, the charity can offer advice, material assistance, or simply a conversation.”

Advice & support

The BCF can help with advice, financial support, or regular visits to combat loneliness. There is no limit to the type of help the fund can give, ranging from a weekly meeting over a cup of tea, to arranging legal or financial advice, to providing significant long-term financial support. And all the BCF’s work is, of course, completely confidential.

However, the BCF is concerned that there may be many needy people who are simply not aware of the help that the fund can offer. “In the midst of the uncertainty surrounding the United Kingdom’s decision to leave the EU, the BCF is devoted to increasing awareness of its activities amongst the British community in Belgium,” explains Julie. “And we continue to explore possibilities for extending contact within the community.”

The BCF works with a committee and group of unpaid volunteers and sees itself as the ‘agency of last resort’; only stepping in when applicants have exhausted the normal means of support from family or government agencies. However, its structure means it can react very quickly (often within a day) and flexibly with support which can last for as little as a few days or continue for many years.

The BCF works closely with other organisations also active in helping British nationals in Belgium including other BBCA associated charities such as the Royal British Legion (RBL), the Community Help Service (CHS) and the Wednesday Club.

The fund liaises regularly with the Consulate and the British Embassy in Brussels who, when their powers to intervene are limited, refer cases to the BCF.

You can help?

In a world where vulnerable people can easily find themselves in difficult situations, the calls on the BCF’s resources are increasing. New volunteers are always welcome, but if you do not have the time to spare, join the BBCA in donating towards the fund’s activities. As a registered Belgian charity all donations over EUR 40 are tax deductible. You can make a bank transfer now to the British Charitable Fund account – IBAN BE37 3101 8900 8428 – including the message ‘Donation’. Thank you!

Find out more about the BCF via its website. 

COVID-19 selected news snippets for Friday, 22 May 2020.

The 194 member countries of the World Health Organisation (WHO) adopted a resolution on Tuesday encouraging mechanisms for the "voluntary" sharing of patents and intellectual property rights in the search for a vaccine and treatments against the coronavirus. The United States, however, deplored the terms of the resolution calling for the "urgent removal of unjustified obstacles" to "universal, rapid and equitable access and fair distribution" of treatment and vaccines.

It is not over. WHO reported on Wednesday the largest number of new COVID-19 cases in the world in a single day - 106 000 cases - since the start of the pandemic, saying it feared the consequences in the poorest countries.

The number of infections worldwide reaches five million. Belgium ranks 17th among the countries with the most COVID-19 infections, according to figures by John Hopkins University.

Europe must prepare for a second wave but it won't necessarily be disastrous, says EU coronavirus official Andrea Ammon, Director of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. The question is not whether there will be a new wave of contamination, but "when", said the director.

Belgian prime minister Sophie Wilmès said on Wednesday that “the reappraisal of care professions should be a priority.” She says that this does not only involve higher salaries, but also better working conditions. She and her party (MR) are in favour of repealing the two Royal Decrees that infuriated the unions and sparked strikes in the health sector. The two legal texts concern the requisition of personnel and the possibility of nursing activities being carried out by non-nursing staff. 

Microbiologist Herman Goossens from Antwerp University: "Increase in hospital admissions somewhat worrying." It is not yet dramatic, but it is a first warning signal. For the past five days, hospitalisations have started to rise again.

A quarter of the COVID-19 patients admitted to intensive care have died. That figure may increase, but is much lower than first reports.

Visits to hospitals will be allowed from 2 June.

On Wednesday Brussels-Capital Region began its first "massive" distribution of 800,000 masks out of the 3.5 million planned to combat the spread of the coronavirus.

The mayors of Brussels ask for a clarification of the measures on wearing a mask. In order for each municipality to have the same regulation concerning the wearing of masks in shops or public spaces, mayors decided to write to the Minister of the Interior, Pieter De Crem asking him to make a clearer decision on the matter.

The number of houses sold has fallen by 47 % since the corona crisis. The sector advocates for fiscal support for families who want to invest in real estate.

The Summer sales are officially postponed to August 1.

"There will probably be between 15 and 20 % bankruptcy, and 52,000 job losses in Brussels," estimates Olivier Willockx of Beci.

Six in ten households lost money during the coronavirus crisis. The first factor is salary. More than a third of households (35 %) report experiencing a net loss of wages. This amounts, on average, to EUR 1 571 euros on net household income.

Bozar reopened on Tuesday, the Atomium will reopen on June 1, the communal gardens reopened this Thursday in Saint-Josse-ten-Noode and Pairi Daiza is now also opening doors to non-subscribers.

Home owners of second residences can return to their second home, also on the coast and in the Ardennes. "But the rules do not change," emphasises Flemish Prime Minister Jan Jambon.

Despite a sunny Ascension weekend, it remains calm for the time being at the coast. In Blankenberge, a handful of Walloon day trippers were sent back, but the feared influx has not happened.

Details will be given at today's Daily UK government briefing but it is likely that anyone traveling to the United Kingdom from the end of the month will be obliged to self-isolate for two weeks. Fines for those that do not.

France wants to reopen its borders this summer and welcome Belgians. French Secretary of State to the Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs, Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne, expressed his hope that the internal borders of the Union will open in mid-June.

Charleroi Airport reopens on June 15 - Wizzair will be the first to take off.

The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) recommend physical distancing measures "as far as possible" and the wearing of a medical mask for travel in planes. These masks need to be changed every four hours, and passengers need to make sure they have enough, but companies are also encouraged to supply.

From Wednesday, May 20, Belgian post is sending letters and parcels again to five destinations in Asia: Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, Singapore and South Korea. The service was suspended on 19 March.

The concentrations of pollutant nitric oxide in places where traffic is normally high in Brussels have fallen by 75 % since the start of the crisis.

Fire service warning: 'Do not put alcohol gel in the sun in your car.' Placing it in the sun, especially in a hot car, can cause a fire.

And finally. Just because he is at home, doesn’t mean he will share the housework. Many women initially hoped that confinement would redistribute domestic work more equitably. But the first study results do not point in this direction.

Sciensano statistics update of 22 May. 276 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Belgium over the past 24 hours of which 30 (11%) were in Brussels. To date, a total of 56 511 confirmed cases have been reported in Belgium with 5 742 (10%) cases located in Brussels.

In the past 24 hours, some 56 patients with COVID-19 have been hospitalised and 135 people left hospital. Between 15 March and 21 May, a total of 16 943 patients with COVID-19 have entered hospital and 15 123 people have left.

26 new deaths from COVID-19 in Belgium have been reported in the past 24 hours of which 4 (15%) were in Brussels. To date, a total 9 212 deaths from the disease have been reported in Belgium of which 1 416 (15%) were in Brussels.

Currently 268 COVID-19 patients are in intensive care units in Belgian hospitals.

Read the daily report (in French) here.

Useful Links

Federal Government COVID-19 information

The Bulletin's COVID-19 webpage (updated daily)

COVID-19 selected news snippets for Wednesday, 20 May 2020.

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) may grant conditional approval this week for the use of antiviral drug Remdesivir in the treatment of patients with COVID-19.

Healthcare workers' unions file strike notice in hospitals and nursing homes to protest against two royal decrees concerning the “requisition” of staff and the delegation of care tasks to unqualified personnel. “They are the wrong answer to a real problem, the real problem is years of austerity and destruction of social security.”

The Belgian government is discussing the gradual opening of Belgium’s borders with the Netherlands, France, Germany and Luxembourg. However, the removal of border controls requires “the same approach to the disease on one side of the border as on the other side, and the level of infection needs to be under control,” according to Philippe Goffin, Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs. Other aspects must now be looked at, such as visiting relatives who live abroad, shopping in neighbouring countries and the maintenance of real estate abroad.

The government will not meet the May 20 deadline for the delivery of the filters to slide into fabric masks. Minister Koen Geens says. The bulk will still arrive at the municipalities on Friday. They then distribute it according to their own rhythm. Each citizen will receive a mask and two filters from the federal government.

Minister of the Interior Pieter De Crem asks the provincial governors to call the mayors to order who have taken measures in recent weeks that are much more stringent than the provisions of the National Security Council.

Prime Minister Wilmès wants to make a decision on second homeowners in the coming days. The coastal mayors support the appeal by the Flemish Minister of Tourism Zuhal Demir to lift the restrictions for second home owners 'as soon as possible'.

More than half of Belgians who contracted COVID-19 were probably infected at work according to University of Antwerp's corona survey.

People with a disability can return home or to a care provider for 1, 2 or more days from 25 May.

The Trump effect: The number of incidents related to bleach "explodes" with Belgians putting it in their bathtubs. The Poison Control Centre received 1 000 more calls than last year during April.

The excess mortality caused by the coronavirus epidemic has been greater in the Brussels Region, the University VUB said based on figures from the statistical office Statbel. In comparison with the last five years, 8 186 additional deaths were recorded in Belgium from March 16 to May 3.

Towards a partial reopening of the catering sector on June 8? Horeca Magazine published a "white paper" containing various measures taken abroad to reopen the sector to the public. This document is based "on the guidelines already published in Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Austria and other countries". According to Comeos, the sector is losing EUR 47 million a day.

Villo!- the Brussels bike sharing service - offers six months free for all new registrations. New users will be able to choose between classic bikes and the electric option.

More Belgians are booking holiday homes within the country. The regions in which reservations are the most significant are Liège, Luxembourg and Namur.

STIB: a bus driver has tested positive for coronavirus.

Ostend opts for beach reservation system. The coast has long been looking for a beach strategy to save the summer. Ostend will use a reservation system for the busiest stretches of beach, says mayor Bart Tommelein. The reservation will be free and will be tested in June.

Descent of the Lesse in a kayak is allowed from 21 May. Only the small descent of 12 km will be authorised and only reserved for people living under the same roof.

Sciensano statistics update of 20 May. 192 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Belgium over the past 24 hours of which 18 (9%) were in Brussels. To date, a total of 55 983 confirmed cases have been reported in Belgium with 5 691 (10%) cases located in Brussels.

In the past 24 hours, only 58 patients with COVID-19 have been hospitalised and 160 people left hospital. Between 15 March and 19 May, a total of 16 816 patients with COVID-19 have entered hospital and 14 847 people have left.

42 new deaths from COVID-19 in Belgium have been reported in the past 24 hours of which 2 (5%) were in Brussels. To date, a total 9 150 deaths from the disease have been reported in Belgium of which 1 408 (15%) were in Brussels.

Currently 313 COVID-19 patients are in intensive care units in Belgian hospitals.

Read the daily report (in French) here.

Useful Links

Federal Government COVID-19 information

The Bulletin's COVID-19 webpage (updated daily)

COVID-19 selected news snippets for Monday 18 May 2020.

Today, Belgium begins phase 2 of deconfinement, among the changes: gradual resumption of classes, reopening of museums, markets, hairdressers, driving schools, and resumption of outdoor sports. All the changes explained here.

Italy wants to open its borders again on June 3. The Italian government confirmed this on Saturday after the news was already reported in the media. From then on, residents of the European Union and countries of the Schengen zone would be welcome again without having to quarantine for two weeks.

In a resolution adopted by a large majority, the European Parliament called for an economic recovery fund of EUR 2 billion to address the consequences of the corona crisis.

In certain cases, grandparents can look after their grandchildren again, Flemish Minister of Welfare Wouter Beke announced. The grandparents in question cannot be older than 65 and they must not have any health concerns.

In order to avoid overcrowding on public transport when schools reopen and the further resumption of economic life, Brussels Minister of Mobility Elke Van den Brandt presents an alternative to commuters: Park + Bike. A number of peripheral car parks become free and the commuters receive a free six-month subscription to pedal to their destination with a shared bicycle.

About 45 % of Belgian young people have financial problems due to the corona crisis. 13 % have serious financial problems, according to a survey by banking federation Febelfin.

The catering sector is losing EUR 47 million per day.

The market vendors of the flea market on the Vossenplein/Place du Jeu de Balle in Brussels think that their market should resume from Monday like other large markets. To express their displeasure, they holding a protest march this morning.

Similarly, the Belgian Massage Federation does not understand why the masseurs should not resume work today.

The Flemish Swimming Federation, together with the French-speaking counterpart Fédération Francophone de Natation and the Royal Belgian Swimming Federation, is addressing the various Ministers of Sport jointly. They have prepared a roadmap to allow the opening of the pools and request that this be done as soon as possible.

"#Restart": a RTBF plan worth EUR 13.4 million to support culture during the coronavirus era. Broadcaster RTBF offers a recovery plan and support for the culture, audiovisual and local economy sectors in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation.

Belgians spent 30% less during confinement, the only exception being on food.

Most of the 19 Brussels municipalities are ready to reopen schools on Monday, however Watermael-Boitsfort, Schaerbeek and Sint-Joost-ten-Node are postponing the reopening.

All STIB bus, tram and metro lines are running normally today.

The social distance of 1.5 meters remains the norm, but is no longer mandatory for public transport, the Flemish government has decided, reports De Lijn. A mouth mask remains mandatory for travellers from 12 years old.

There will be no edition of the Belgian Pride Parade in Brussels in 2020. The parade had previously been postponed to August 29.

Sciensano stats update of 18 May. 279 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Belgium over the past 24 hours of which 22 (8%) were in Brussels. To date, a total of 55 559 confirmed cases have been reported in Belgium with 5 657 (10%) cases located in Brussels.

In the past 24 hours, only 43 patients with COVID-19 have been hospitalised and 27 people left hospital. Between 15 March and 17 May, a total of 16 708 patients with COVID-19 have entered hospital and 14 657 people have left.

28 new deaths from COVID-19 in Belgium have been reported in the past 24 hours of which 6 (22%) were in Brussels. To date, a total 9 080 deaths from the disease have been reported in Belgium of which 1 400 (15%) were in Brussels.

Currently 342 COVID-19 patients are in intensive care units in Belgian hospitals.

Read the daily report (in French) here.

Useful Links

Federal Government COVID-19 information

The Bulletin's COVID-19 webpage (updated daily)

COVID-19 selected news snippets for Friday, 15 May 2020.

The rate of reproduction of the virus has increased in Belgium. Virologist Steven Van Gucht reassures: it is too early to link this increase with the start of deconfinement. However, experts warn: the next three weeks will be crucial. “We feel that the politicians have used all the leeway they have. So we are worried." They recommend acting quickly in the event of a resumption of the epidemic, "so as not to make the same mistake as at the beginning, but that does not mean that we must directly opt for a total reconfiguration."

Belgium is looking into the issue of a possible COVID-19 vaccine. And the Superior Council of Health (which is responsible for making recommendations to the Ministers of Health regarding a vaccination plan) is formal, there will not be a vaccine for everyone. The Superior Health Council tries to determine priority groups.

An initial delivery of a million cloth mouth masks will arrive on Friday at the military complex in Peutie, said Minister of Defense and Foreign Affairs Philippe Goffin.

Healthcare providers are under heavy pressure during the corona crisis. 4 in 10 report sleep deprivation, a quarter complain of concentration disorders and anxiety. That is almost 5 times higher than usual.

The number of temporary unemployed increased by half in April compared to March.

The Brussels region supports the cultural sector with measures worth nearly EUR 8.5 million. Brussels is adopting specific measures to support the cultural sector, focusing on Brussels non-profit organisations and intermittent culture workers who have so far been unable to claim assistance.

The catering sector hopes to be able to receive customers again on 8 June with the start of phase 3, and is already working on a plan to make this reopening as smooth as possible.

This year, KBC bank expects to have to write down about EUR 1.1 billion in losses due to the corona crisis because customers do not repay their loans correctly.

Research Hogeschool Odisee: more than 8 out of 10 people want to continue working from home after corona. 

Antwerp Zoo, Planckendael and Pairi Daiza will open their doors again on Monday 18 May. The first two weeks Zoo Antwerp and Planckendael will do this exclusively for members, the general public can visit from 1 June.

The consumer or the patient can refuse the payment of “Covid supplements”. The consumer organisation Test Achats said that consumers and patients can refuse to pay the "Covid supplement" included in their bill if the service provider has not informed them of the price increase beforehand. Sometimes reaching up to EUR 50, this supplement is now mainly imposed by certain garage owners and dentists. Other professionals may also consider using it.

Le Pain Quotidien has filed for judicial reorganisation.

The Summer Sales will now take place in August instead of July.

Flemish schools open their doors today for a day of trial runs after 10 weeks. Only a couple of years can attend, the other vast majority of students still have to remain at home.

STIB/MIVB - an agreement was reached between management and unions on Thursday. The agreement is conditional on a return to work. However, services are still experiencing disruption this Friday morning. Seventeen bus lines are not running but the metro runs normally.

The Zinneke parade will be virtual this Saturday.

Sciensano update of 15 May. 365 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Belgium over the past 24 hours of which 28 (8%) were in Brussels. To date, a total of 54 644 confirmed cases have been reported in Belgium with 5 563 (10%) cases located in Brussels.

In the past 24 hours, only 67 patients with COVID-19 have been hospitalised and 190 people left hospital. Between 15 March and 14 May, a total of 16 540 patients with COVID-19 have entered hospital and 14 301 people have left.

56 new deaths from COVID-19 in Belgium have been reported in the past 24 hours of which 11 (20%) were in Brussels. To date, a total 8 959 deaths from the disease have been reported in Belgium of which 1 385 (15%) were in Brussels.

Currently 380 COVID-19 patients are in intensive care units in Belgian hospitals.

Read the daily report (in French) here.

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COVID-19 selected news snippets for Thursday, 14 May 2020.

Yesterday, the Belgian government announced a further relaxation of measures to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

As of Monday, 18 May, the following measures will apply:

• Telework, where possible, remains the norm during this phase.
• Secondary and primary schools will open again to a limited extent, however nurseries remain closed at this stage and higher education has already started organising the end of the academic year with the region’s authorities.
• Museums and historical buildings can also open, provided that tickets are sold online or by telephone and that social distancing rules are observed.
• Libraries remain open under the same conditions as today.
• Zoos and animal parks as well as attractions and playgrounds may reopen with an approved circulation plan, however their restaurants must remain closed and only a limited number of visitors may be admitted.
• Most contact professions, such as hairdressers and beauticians, can be restart, but ‘by appointment’ only and customers and staff must wear masks and keep a safe distance.
• For markets, there is also the green light (provided consent of the local authorities is obtained) for a maximum of 50 stalls with an approved circulation plan and mandatory face masks for market vendors and staff with mask also highly recommended for customers.
• In the open air, regular sports training and lessons can be resumed under the guidance of a coach, social distancing must be respected and a maximum of 20 people may participate at one time.
• Planning a wedding or funeral? From now on it will be possible to receive a maximum of 30 people at ceremonies, under certain conditions, including social distancing, but it is not allowed to organise a reception after the ceremony.

The next step (phase 3) of relaxation will not start before 8 June. Then a detailed plan for culture and sports will probably be laid out. More clarity is also expected regarding tourism and for restaurants and cafés, social contacts, religious services, youth camps, events of various sizes, etc. What is already known is that all cultural, sporting, tourist and recreational events are prohibited until 30 June and that there may be no return to normality this summer.

Full government statement (in French) here.

Sciensano stats update of 14 May. 307 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Belgium over the past 24 hours of which 31 (10%) were in Brussels. To date, a total of 54 288 confirmed cases have been reported in Belgium with 5 535 (10%) cases located in Brussels.

In the past 24 hours, only 81 patients with COVID-19 have been hospitalised and 173 people left hospital. Between 15 March and 13 May, a total of 16 473 patients with COVID-19 have entered hospital and 14 111 people have left.

60 new deaths from COVID-19 in Belgium have been reported in the past 24 hours of which 9 (15%) were in Brussels. To date, a total of 8 903 deaths from the disease have been reported in Belgium of which 1 374 (15%) were in Brussels.

Currently 407 COVID-19 patients are in intensive care units in Belgian hospitals.

Read the daily report (in French) here.

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The Bulletin's COVID-19 webpage (updated daily)

COVID-19 selected news snippets for Wednesday, 13 May 2020.

The National Security Council (NSC) will meet again this afternoon, discussions will include:

• Whether most contact professions, such as hairdressers and beauticians, can reopen.
• Whether museums and zoos may also open again next week with appropriate measures (limited number of tickets per day etc).
• Whether open-air markets can recommence and when.

For sports, resumption of activities will be phased. Last week the Jupiler Pro League decided not to restart before 31 July. For the amateurs, from 18 May, 12-year-olds will be allowed back on the field, and amateur teams of up to twenty players may also resume training with distance measures, but may not yet play matches.

From the beginning of June, indoor sports fans may resume training in pairs. From June 15 teams can also return to training again, subject to social distancing.

From August onwards, indoor and outdoor competitions will be allowed again, albeit with a maximum permitted audience of 2 000 people. Mass sports events may take place again by 1 September – virus permitting.

Sciensano update of 13 May. 202 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Belgium over the past 24 hours of which 19 (9%) were in Brussels. To date, a total of 53 981 confirmed cases have been reported in Belgium with 5 504 (10%) cases located in Brussels.

In the past 24 hours, only 70 patients with COVID-19 have been hospitalised and 205 people left hospital. Between 15 March and 12 May, a total of 16 392 patients with COVID-19 have entered hospital and 13 937 people have left.

82 new deaths from COVID-19 in Belgium have been reported in the past 24 hours of which 12 (15%) were in Brussels. To date, a total of 8 843 deaths from the disease have been reported in Belgium of which 1 365 (15%) were in Brussels.

Currently 420 COVID-19 patients are in intensive care units in Belgian hospitals.

Read the daily report (in French) here.

The WHO is cautiously positive about some corona treatments. While concrete scientific evidence is still lacking about which drug could cure COVID-19, WHO experts see certain treatments can shrink the severity of symptoms. (De Standaard)

The European Commission is preparing to present recommendations today to save the 2020 summer season for the European the tourism sector by encouraging European states to gradually and concertedly reopen their internal borders.

During the corona crisis, air quality in Europe has improved significantly according to calculations by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) that are confirmed by satellite observations.

The European Commission has given the green light to increase the maximum amount of the “corona loan” for companies to EUR 2 million. The loans are intended for start-ups, scale-ups, SMEs and the self-employed who are struggling with the consequences of the corona virus.

The Task Force, which is looking into medical supplies in the fight against the coronavirus, has ordered 2 million additional FFP2 masks in recent days, with 80,000 delivered.

Already 359 cured COVID-19 patients have volunteered to give plasma to the Red Cross.

Several doctors' organisations complain today that no triage centre has yet received the promised start-up funding. More than half of the Flemish triage centres have not yet received any payments.

In the Brussels municipalities of Etterbeek, Woluwe-Saint-Pierre and Woluwe-Saint-Lambert, residents and visitors are required to wear masks in busy centres.

TUI cuts 8000 jobs, 10% of their jobs worldwide.

The technology sector is gradually restarting. Where the average activity rate was 52.8% at the beginning of April, it has now risen to 75%.

Belgian companies are afraid that a second lockdown will ruin them completely, according to a survey conducted by employer organisation Voka among its members. The Federation of Belgian Enterprises (FEB) is trying to stop a new, general lockdown. Because that would be "a bloodbath".

Some 340 bus and coach companies responsible for collective passenger transport are today holding an "e-protest march on Brussels". In doing so, they ask the federal and regional governments for guarantees of their survival and clarity about the restart of their activities.

About 180,000 Belgians are in danger of losing their job, according to the latest survey by the Economic Risk Management Group (ERMG).

As a result of the corona crisis, activities in the construction sector are likely to decline by 10% in 2020.

A combination of strong wind and low demand due to the corona virus has caused negative electricity prices in Belgium.

98% of primary schools are preparing to restart on 15 May.

Coastal mayors will follow the guidelines of the NSC to keep second-residence owners out of their municipalities until June.

In Brussels, bus traffic is disrupted for the third day in a row. The metro is running normally, with trams also running, but at a reduced frequency.

Flanders public transport company De Lijn is threatened with strikes if not all buses are equipped with protection screens.

Brussels Airlines will reduce its fleet by 30% with thousands of jobs threatened. Belgium is prepared to pump up to EUR 390 million into Brussels Airlines if sufficient investments follow.

Barely 17 000 passengers flew last month via Zaventem, while the number of cargo flights increased by half.

Travelers to Spain will have to be quarantined from Friday for 14 days. Those placed in isolation may only come out to buy basic supplies or for medical care. Travel agencies and transport companies must inform their customers in advance about the rules. The measure will last until the end of the state of emergency in Spain, currently scheduled for 24 May.

In contrast, Ryanair wants to offer 1 000 flights a day from 1 July with flights resuming from Brussels and Charleroi. However, the company has announced that there will be job losses in Belgium.

Useful Links

Federal Government COVID-19 information

The Bulletin's COVID-19 webpage (updated daily)