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Today, 26 November, the Belgian COVID Consultative Committee noted the rapidly deteriorating COVID situation in the country and decided to adopt a new set of winter measures which will limit the number of contacts. As ever, BBCA has the full details. 

The new decisions aim to slow the spread of the virus and making the workload in healthcare more manageable. These new measures will be (re)evaluated on 15 December.

1. Additional vaccinations

After the booster vaccine has been administered to vulnerable and specific target groups (65 years+, healthcare providers, people with immunodeficiency, people vaccinated with Johnson & Johnson vaccine etc.), the entire population should receive as soon as possible an additional booster vaccine dose.

The prime target is for citizens to receive a booster dose of the mRNA vaccine four months (Johnson & Johnson and AstraZeneca) or six months (Pfizer and Moderna) after their last (second) dose.

The Committee is requesting that the operational plan to achieve this is developed by 27 November and implemented as soon as possible, so that the capacity of the national vaccination campaign is rapidly and significantly increased and that as many people as possible are able to be vaccinated before Christmas.

Subject to the receipt of affirmative expert opinion a voluntary vaccination campaign to cover children aged 5 to 11 may also be launched.

2. Winter measures

Private meetings - Private meetings inside are prohibited, with the exception of weddings and funerals (the reception after the ceremony). These can be organized using the CST for up to 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors. The terms and conditions applicable to the Horeca sector will apply, although dancing with a mask is permitted.

The above provision does not apply to meetings held in private homes. However, the Committee strongly encourages the use of self-tests when receiving guests at your home.

The use of the CST does not apply to private meetings organized at private homes, except when such events are catered with professional staff. If professional Horeca services are used, this service is also limited between 5 am and 11 pm, with the exception of weddings.

Horeca activities - The maximum number of people per table is limited to 6. However, a household can share a table, regardless of the size of that household. Only seats at the table are authorized and the hours of operation are limited and run from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Discos and dance halls must close.

Public events - Indoor public events: only seats are allowed, in accordance with the CST rule accompanied by the wearing of a mask. Outdoor public events: If the organizers do not respect social distancing rules and maintain a distance of 1.5 meters between each group, their event will be closed. The terms applicable in the hotel and catering sector are also valid for events.

The effective date of application of the measures concerning events organized by professionals is 29 November.

Trade fairs - The Committee confirms the obligation to wear a mask at trade shows. The federated entities will take the necessary regulatory provisions for a generalized use of the CST during these trade fairs.

Sports competition - Sports competitions organized indoors, both amateur and professional, can only take place without an audience. Participants up to the age of 18 may however be accompanied by their parents.

Schools education - The education ministers will put in place a set of measures covering: the obligation to wear a mask; air quality and improved ventilation; separation of class groups; tracing of high-risk contacts (tracing and screening); and extracurricular activities.

Youth activities - The Youth Ministers are invited to formulate, by 29 November at the latest, additional proposals on the restrictions and security measures to be observed during youth activities in indoor spaces, taking into account the epidemiological risks associated with the mixture of young people from different classes and schools.

Telework - The period during which workers can go to their place of work a maximum of once a week has been extended to 19 December from 12 December. The period from which workers will be able to return to their place of work at most twice a week begins on 20 December.

3. Compliance with measures

The police are responsible for intervening strictly if they find non-compliance with these measures. The competent ministers and mayors will be asked to transmit the necessary information in this area to their local police services.

4. Three instructions to help you stay safe

• Limit your contacts. Adapt your behaviour and exercise great caution, especially around vulnerable people. If you still want to see friends, it is best to do so outside.
• Use self-tests. If you still invite people to your home, take a self-test and wear a mask. To put the odds on your side. Self-tests are available in pharmacies and supermarkets.
• Ventilate. Make sure that the interior spaces are sufficiently ventilated. A habit to take which is healthy anyway, but even more so during these times of coronavirus circulation.

The Consultative Committee on 17 November discussed the COVID-19 situation in Belgium and agreed a series of new protective measures. The obligation to wear a mask has been extended and teleworking made obligatory. The new rules follow the doubling of the number of infections, hospitalizations and intensive care patients in the past two weeks.

To avoid congestion in the health care system and to allow education and the economy to function as normally as possible, the Concertation Committee has taken several protective measures outlined below. The measures will enter into force on 20 November 2021 and will be applicable until 28 January 2022. The Consultation Committee will meet in early January to reassess the situation.

1. Safety distance and limitation of social contact

It is absolutely essential that citizens obey the ground rules, which help prevent the spread of the coronavirus. These include respecting the safety distance of 1.5 meters and limiting the number of social contacts made.

The Concertation Committee strongly recommends limiting social contacts as much as possible and preferably organizing these contacts outside.

2. Wearing of the compulsory extended mask

The Consultative Committee has decided to generalize the wearing of a mask, which will now be compulsory in the following situations across the country:

• in closed spaces of public transport and organized collective transport;
• for the medical and non-medical professions;
• in health care establishments;
• in establishments and places where catering activities are organized;
• in the context of events, both indoors and outdoors and regardless of the size of the event;
• in stores and shopping centres;
• in spaces accessible to the public of companies and public administrations;
• in public buildings and courts;
• in libraries, game libraries and media libraries;
• in spaces accessible to the public of establishments belonging to the cultural, festive, sporting, recreational and events sectors;
• in fitness centres;
• in places of worship.

Wearing a mask is compulsory from 10 years old. In education, communities will decide whether or not to introduce compulsory mask wearing for children under 12.

The mask can only be removed occasionally for sitting, eating and drinking, and when wearing a mask is not possible due to the nature of the activity, such as during sporting activities.

3. Covid Safe Ticket +

The Covid Safe Ticket is proof of full vaccination, obtaining a negative PCR test, or certification of recovery. For example, it gives access to events and catering establishments.

The Concertation Committee decided that in places or during events where the Covid Safe Ticket is applicable, the wearing of a mask is also compulsory. The Covid Safe Ticket and the wearing of a mask are therefore both required.

The Covid Safe Ticket and the wearing of a mask are compulsory in the following situations:

• for public events and private meetings with more than 50 people indoors or more than 100 people outdoors;
• in catering establishments (including private events that take place there);
• in theaters, concert halls, music halls, cabarets and other performance halls, multipurpose halls that host cultural activities, indoor circuses, cinemas, museums and amusement parks and other theme parks (interiors).

Nightclubs and dance halls that do not want to impose the wearing of masks are obliged to ask their customers to present the Covid Safe Ticket and to carry out a self-test on site, i.e., both Covid Safe Ticket and self-test.

4. Compulsory teleworking

Teleworking will be compulsory in the private sector and in all public administrations, unless the nature of the function or the continuity of activities does not allow it. One day's presence at work per staff member is authorized per week. As of December 13, the number of return-to-work days will be increased to a maximum of two per staff member per week.

This measure should help reduce the number of contacts, especially on public transport.

An electronic monthly register should be kept by organisations and made available through the social security portal.

5. Generalization of the booster vaccine

All fully vaccinated citizens will soon have the opportunity to receive an additional booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

Several target groups - including people over 65, people immunocompromised or vaccinated with the Johnson & Johnson vaccine - have already had the opportunity to receive this additional dose. Now it is the turn of the rest of the population.

The vaccination campaign for children aged 5 to 11 will be launched as soon as possible, upon receipt of a favourable opinion from the Higher Health Council and the Bioethics Advisory Committee, and after approval by the European Medicines Agency. This vaccination will be available on a voluntary basis.

6. Ventilation

In order to properly monitor the air quality in schools and businesses, the Consultative Committee asks the regional ministers of Education and Labour to ensure that CO₂ meters are installed quickly and generally in all school and business premises where large numbers of people congregate.

ICYMI Today, Wednesday 10 November, the Belgian Health ministries reached an agreement in principle for the administration of a third dose of COVID-19 vaccine to the whole population.

All residents should therefore soon receive an invitation for a 3rd dose of the vaccine.

The implementation of this decision will be settled at a forthcoming Interministerial Health Conference scheduled for 27 November. The ministers also decided to allow a second dose to be given to people who have been vaccinated with the Johnson & Johnson/ Janssen single dose vaccine.

Keep the date in your diary! On the evening of Friday, 10th December 2021 the BBCA will be holding its Annual Christmas Reception (subject to relevant COVID restrictions at the time) from 18h00-20h00. 

The venue is still a secret but all will be revealed in your invitation that will be sent out in the very near future!

The BBCA Events Team are making the final adjustments to arrangements and further details will follow very shortly including how to register for the event. We look forward to seeing you there!

ICYMI from this week a new self-assessment questionnaire on the Belgian health ministry website allows you to book a free coronavirus test without first needing a CTPC code from your GP. A free test will be available every 11 days for citizens.

The questionnaire is available here.

At-risk patients, such as over-65s and pregnant women, are still advised to see their doctor first.  The new tool was launched following complaints from GPs that they are being overwhelmed with processing the admin for coronavirus tests. You can also access the questionnaire via your account at masante.belgique.be.

Tis' soon the season to be jolly and Brussels International Singers will be holding their 2021 Christmas Carol Concert on the evening of Friday 17 December from 19h30. The venue is the Koninlijk Conservatorium Brussel at Regentschapsstraat 30a, 1000 Brussels.

Tickets cost €15 prepaid / €18 on the door for adults and €10 prepaid / €12 on the door for under 15s. Further information and ticket reservations can be made via email – brusselsintsingers@gmail.com or phone – 0497 871363.

You will need to show your Covid Safe Ticket and Identity Document to gain entry on the night. More details below.

The Belgian consultation committee discussed the state of the COVID-19 epidemic on Tuesday (26 October) and decided to extend the obligation to wear a mask, the Covid Safe Ticket and teleworking to try to stop the recent increased circulation of the virus.

The virus’s circulation has intensified sharply in recent weeks, partly due to the increase in the number of contacts and activities inside. The average number of new infections is 5,300 per day, an increase of more than 70% from last week.

While the situation in hospitals remains manageable with a weekly average of 115 admissions, it has also increased over the past week.

While closing areas or restricting activities is not necessary at this time, the epidemiological situation calls for caution and vigilance. Therefore the following measures come into effect across Belgium from Friday, 29 October.

Extension of the obligation to wear a mask

The current obligation to wear a mask, for example in public transport and in the medical and non-medical contact professions, is extended to a general obligation to wear a mask in the following interior spaces:

• Stores and shopping centres;
• Care establishments;
• Areas accessible to the public in companies, public buildings, court buildings
• Establishments intended for cultural, festive, sporting and recreational activities, including theatres, concert halls, cinemas, museums, indoor amusement and theme parks, indoor fitness centres and sports centres;
• Libraries, game libraries and media libraries;
• Worship centres

Wearing a mask is not compulsory in places where the Covid Safe Ticket is used.

The Covid Safe Ticket

For public events, the federal government requires the use of the Covid Safe Ticket for events from 200 people indoors and 400 people outdoors. When using the Covid Safe Ticket, the obligation to wear a mask is waived.

The application of the Covid Safe Ticket will be compulsory from 1 November in all hospitality and fitness establishments in Belgium. For staff, wearing a mask will be mandatory from 29 October.

Telework

Teleworking is strongly recommended for all staff members of companies, associations and service providers. Unless this is not possible due to the nature of the business of the business or the provision of services. The expansion of teleworking should reduce the number of contacts in the workplace and on public transport.

Testing policy

Contact testing and tracing remain crucial lines of defence. At the same time, overburdening general practitioners must be avoided.

Therefore, the Committee decided that the testing centres would remain temporarily open during the winter period.

The capacity for contact tracing is also ensured, so that people who test positive are contacted as quickly as possible. The regional authorities are taking all the necessary initiatives to achieve this.

Third dose of vaccine

The Committee asks the Ministers of Public Health to organize the administration of a booster dose for the entire population, as soon as the need for this third dose is scientifically proven.

Pandemic law

The Committee takes note of the federal government's decision to declare the epidemic emergency for up to three months, and approves of this decision. Belgian federal entities can always take measures which go beyond the federal baseline measures outlined above.

Did you know that one in three of the residents of Brussels are foreign nationals? But these international Brussels residents do not have the right to vote in Regional elections. Now the Brussels Government wants to hear from these International Brusselers and are looking for ways to guarantee them a real political representation in their ‘home town’.

Giving non-Belgians a vote in regional elections would require a change in the Belgian Constitution, which will require action. So, over the summer people have been creative looking at different ways to ensure that the voice of International Brusselers is heard in Brussels politics?

Find out more about this initiative in this video.

Now vote on the ideas

Hundreds of international Brusselers submitted ideas to improve living in Brussels for all internationals residents. A wide range of constructive ideas have been proposed and now the project has entered the 'Voting phase'. You are invited to take a look at the proposals on the dedicated regional website – and vote for your favourites!  

What ideas do you support the most?

The ideas with the most votes will pass to the next phase where ideas are upgraded to full-fledged recommendations for the Brussels Regional Government.

Check out the site, vote for the best ideas, and raise your #BrusselsVoice!

#BrusselsForPeople!

To access Brussels' cafes, restaurants, gyms and sports facilities, cultural venues and museums, banqueting facilities, congress centres, or to visit someone in a hospital or retirement home you now need to be able to provide proof that you are fully vaccinated, or have recently tested negative for coronavirus, or have antibodies from a recent infection (within 180 days) by showing your Covid Safe Ticket.

Your Covid Safe Ticket can be printed out via the masante.belgique.be website or displayed as a QR code on your smartphone using the CovidSafe app. If you do not have access to the internet, you can obtain the ticket by calling 02 214 19 19 and a printout will be posted to you.

Venue owners and event organisers use the CovidScan app to check that the QR code is valid. The ticket is not required for staff (restaurant and café waiters or organisers of a cultural event etc.) as workplaces are not within the remit of the scheme.

After an initial awareness-raising period of two weeks, fines ranging from €50 to €500 for the public and €50 to €2 500 for venues and organisers could be issued. Commune mayors also have the power to instruct local police to close a venue down for a maximum of three months in the event of repeat non-compliance. Presenting a fraudulent Covid Safe Ticket can also lead to prosecution. The measures are provisionally in place in Brussels until 15 January. In Wallonia, the ticket will come into force on 1 November. At present Flanders is not operating the system.

From Tuesday 9 November to Wednesday 17 November the Belgian Red Cross will be holding a grand second-hand book sale in Brussels.

Following the various COVID lockdowns, the Red Cross have two years’ worth of books in stock. Francophones in the city are well aware of this normally annual Book Fest – the last event raised some €63 000 for the Red Cross – but we are informed that there is also a “huge supply of books in English” and most of them will be available for the bargain price of €1 for 2 volumes!

So, to get in your supply of winter reading matter, head down to Rue de Stalle 96, 1180 Uccle between 10am and 6pm during the sale period and pick up your bargains. To access the sale, you will need to take with you your Covid Safe Ticket or provide proof of a negative lateral flow test taken less than 48hours previously.

Spread the work to friends, family and colleagues and help support the fantastic and vital work of the Red Cross in Belgium.

You can find out more about the work of the Red Cross in Belgium on their website and Facebook page.