From 18 February, Belgium’s Corona barometer moves from code red to orange. The decision was made by the Consultative Committee on Friday 11 February. This will mean that the early closing time for the catering industry will disappear and nightlife can open up again. All indoor and outdoor public events will also now be allowed. In addition, teleworking will no longer be mandatory, but will still be the recommended mode of working if possible.

The Consultation Committee considers that Belgium has now reached the peak of the omicron wave with the number of new infections decreasing over the past two weeks and the reproduction number for infections and hospitalisations now below 1.

The detailed consequences for the switch to code orange from Friday 18 February are outlined below.

Catering sector

The early closing mandate is removed and also the restriction on the number of people per table and the requirement to eat and drink only while seated. Back to the bar! However, facemasks remain mandatory for staff. The nightlife sector may reopen at 70% capacity.

Events

All indoor and outdoor public events will now be allowed.

Facemasks should be worn in:

• Non-dynamic indoor activities for all participants and staff.
• During dynamic indoor and outdoor activities, only by staff.

The CST is mandatory for all indoor activities when the number of participants is 50 or more and for outdoor activities from 100 participants.

A capacity of 200 people is now always allowed, but may be increased to:

• 70% for dynamic indoor activities
• 80% in non-dynamic indoor activities and all outdoor activities
• 100% when air quality can be maintained at or below an average target value of 900 ppm CO2 for indoor activities
• 100% for outdoor activities if sections of the audience are at a maximum of 2000 people or less or if additional crowd control measures are taken after positive advice from local safety authorities.

Marriages and funerals ceremonies remain allowed as at present.

Organised leisure activities

There is no longer a maximum capacity for organised outdoor leisure activities, and a maximum capacity of 200 people for organised indoor leisure activities. This maximum number does not apply to sports activities, with the exception of sports camps.

Ventilation

The Consultation Committee underlined the importance of good ventilation of indoor spaces. When a value of 1500 ppm CO2 or a flow rate of 18m3 ventilation per person or 18m3 air purification per hour per person is reached, the capacity must be restricted or other measures must be taken.

Teleworking

The obligation to telework is lifted. However, teleworking is still recommended, whenever possible.

Shopping

There are no longer any restrictions on shopping. The early closing time for night shops is cancelled.

Facemask obligation

The facemask obligation applies from 19 February from the age of 12.

Travel rules

The colour code of the country of origin will no longer taken into account for incoming travellers. Persons who do not have their main residence in Belgium and who travel to our country from EU/Schengen countries or third countries, must from now on have a valid vaccination, test or recovery certificate.

However, the rules for very high-risk zones and essential and non-essential travel continue to apply, as do the 48-hour rule and the exceptions for categories such as carriers and frontier workers.

In line with the European Council Recommendation 2022/107 and the evolution of the worldwide distribution of omicron, the Consultation Committee decided to adapt the certificates as follows:

• The vaccination certificate is valid for 270 days with a basic vaccination and unlimited with a booster vaccination.
• The test certificate will be valid for 24 hours for a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT). Note: only RATs approved at European level are eligible. PCR tests are valid for 72 hours.

The Consultation Committee is asking the Ministers of Health to simplify the testing and quarantine rules when traveling.

Original information source (in Dutch): https://www.info-coronavirus.be/nl/news/occ-1102/. The Belgian COVID information page (in English) can be found here.