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

The British Chamber of Commerce in Brussels is launching a new video series entitled 'Afternoon Tea with' featuring interviews with personalities from the community in and around Brussels. In the 15-minute interview, the interviewee talks about their perspective on ‘life in Brussels’.

The first episode has just been posted and the interviewee is Melanie Warnes, principal of the British School of Brussels.

COVID-19 restrictions in the Brussels-Capital Region have been updated/ increased following a meeting of the Crisis Cell on 26 September.

The following measures have been announced for the Brussels-Capital Region that will come into force on Thursday 1 October, apart from those affecting closing times, which are implemented immediately from today (Monday 28 September), and will last for at least the next three weeks.

• Cafes and bars (but not restaurants) must close at 23h00.
• Ban on gatherings of more than 10 people between 23h00 and 06h00. Controls will be tightened to ensure compliance.
• Bookstores with a play/games area and any other shop selling food or drinks must close at 22h00, following the same rule that already applies to night shops.
• No food may be consumed at street markets.
• The obligation to wear a mask outdoors is lifted generally (but see the points below), however each person must carry a face mask on their person at all times .
• Wearing a mask will become mandatory outdoors in crowded zones from October 1. These 'crowded zones' and the hours of implementation will be fixed for each municipality by their own mayor.

• It is still compulsory to wear a mask in public spaces, shops and around schools.
• Outside these areas, wearing a mask will remain strongly recommended whenever the situation does not allow physical distancing.

The crisis cell also announced that CVID-19 testing capacities will be gradually strengthened from next week, by setting up four “villages” as well as three branches in the city centre.

There are more than you think! This music video produced by long-term BBCA member Martin Watson made me smile. Bon weekend!

"Belgium is just delicious with beer, chocolates and fries - and more famous people than you realise! Celebrating lovely Belgium."

COVID-19 is still with us and likely to remain a risk to health for the near to mid-term. Test and trace is a key element in containing the virus. But where and how to get a test in Brussels?

Our colleagues at the Expat Welcome Desk of the Brussels Commissioner' office have recently sent out details of how to get a test.

This interactive map shows all Covid-19 screening centres in the Brussels-Capital Region (screenshot above) and the conditions for being tested: with or without symptoms, prescription or appointment.

Do you have symptoms?

Obligatory testing for people with symptoms: do you have a cough, fever or breathing difficulties? Do you no longer have a sense of smell or taste? If the GP suspects that you have COVID-19, he/ she will either test you themselves or refer you to the local triage centre indicated for individuals with symptoms of COVID-19. The PCR or swab test you take will be sent to the lab for analysis that same day. In the case where you do not have a GP, call 1710.

Stay at home as long as you haven’t received the test results. In the meantime, your GP will ask you to make a list of all the people you came into contact with up to two days before your symptoms began. This list will only be used if your test is positive, as part of contact tracing procedures. Testing is free of charge.

Quarantine

From October 1, the quarantine period is shortened from 14 to 7 days and a new quarantine system will apply.

If you have symptoms of COVID you should contact your doctor and isolate yourself immediately for 7 days. You will need to take a test as soon as possible.

If the test is positive: the quarantine continues.

If the test is negative: as soon as your clinical situation allows it, you can be released from quarantine.

If you have no symptoms but have had close contact with a positive person. As soon as you learn about it or are contacted by contact tracing, you must immediately quarantine yourself for 7 days, from the last day on which you had close contact with the infected person. It is important to only quarantine yourself when you have had close contact with the positive person.

You make an appointment to take a single test on the 5th day.

If this test is positive: your quarantine is extended for 7 days.

If this test is negative: you should no longer be in quarantine after the 7th day.

Travel

From Friday, September 25, going to "orange zones" and "red zones is strongly discouraged, but no longer prohibited. When you come back from an "orange zone", a COVID test will not be mandatory.

Travellers returning from a "red zone" will have to quarantine themselves from the first day of their return (for 7 days) and take a test on day 5. They can avoid this obligation if they complete a self-assessment document, which, after analysis, would authorise them to do so.

Centres for (non-reimbursed) private testing

Are you traveling to a country where you can only enter after a PCR test? Do you need to get tested for another reason? In these cases, you can go to your GP or to a private test centre without a medical prescription. These tests are not reimbursed by compulsory health insurance.

For more information, check out this website or call 0800 14 689 (toll free).

Following the Belgian National Security Council meeting on Wednesday 23 September a number of new or revised measures were announced by Prime Minister, Sophie Wilmès including the launch of the risk management strategy: citizen empowerment.

The six 'golden rules' continue to apply and remain central to the strategy. They are:

• Follow the hygiene rules;
• Organise your activities preferably outside;
• Protect vulnerable people;
• Keep a 1.5m distance (and wear a mask where this is not possible);
• Limit your close contacts; and 
• Follow rules on gatherings.

Social contacts

The 5-person contact bubble concept disappears as of 1 October. Instead of the bubble, there will be a “reference figure” that will vary between 1 and 5, depending on the health situation. At the moment, experts recommend a maximum of 5 close contacts per person per month, but the number must be limited as much as possible. Close contact means being physically close to someone who does not live under the same roof, for more than 15 minutes, without keeping a distance and without a facemask.

Apart from those close contacts, people can see as many people as they want, if they keep their distance and respect the hygiene rules (If you can't keep 1.5m distance, wear a mask).

It is still not allowed to see more than 10 people in the same place, at the same time (children not included in the 10).

Epidemic barometer

There will be an epidemic barometer system at national, regional and provincial level so that decisions can be taken quickly if the situation improves or deteriorates. This will also offer more perspective in the long term. It will work in the form of stages, which will be determined mainly – but not exclusively – by the number of people admitted to hospital. The development of the barometer is not finished yet, but is expected in two weeks’ time. It will be implemented gradually.

Gatherings

For gatherings, a difference is made between private and professional gatherings.

For private gatherings, the maximum number of guests remains at 10.

Professionally organised events, such as receptions or weddings, will follow the same rules as the hospitality industry as of 1 October. There will be no limit on the maximum number of guests allowed, as it will depend on the capacity of the place. The protocols must still be followed, and dance parties are still not allowed.

For events with an audience, the limit remains at 200 for indoor and 400 outdoor events.

Telework - Working from home

Telework remains recommended, if possible

Quarantine

From October 1, the quarantine will be shortened from 14 to 7 days and a new quarantine system will apply.

If you have symptoms of COVID you should contact your doctor and isolate yourself immediately for 7 days. You will need to take a test as soon as possible.

• If the test is positive: the quarantine continues.
• If the test is negative: as soon as your clinical situation allows it, you can be released from quarantine.

If you have no symptoms but have had close contact with a positive person.

• As soon as you learn about it or are contacted by contact tracing, you must immediately quarantine yourself for 7 days, from the last day on which you had close contact with the infected person. It is important to only quarantine yourself when you have had close contact with the positive person.
• You make an appointment to take a single test on the 5th day.
• If this test is positive: your quarantine is extended for 7 days.
• If this test is negative: you should no longer be in quarantine after the 7th day.

These rules show that keeping your distance is imperative to avoiding unnecessary quarantine if you are symptom-free.

Travel

From this Friday, September 25, going to "orange zones" and "red zones will be strongly discouraged, but no longer prohibited in order to establish harmonised rules with other European countries.

When you come back from an "orange zone", a COVID test will not be mandatory.

Travellers returning from a "red zone" will have to quarantine themselves from the first day of their return (for 7 days) and take a test on day 5. They can avoid this obligation if they complete a self-assessment document, which, after analysis, would authorise them to do so.

These instructions do not apply to people who stay less than 48 hours in a red zone (for example: cross-border workers).

Face masks

As of October 1, the mask will no longer be compulsory outdoors except in extremely busy places, where safety distances cannot be respected. These places are determined by the local authorities. A mask is still compulsory in well-defined covered places such as public transport, shops or cinemas for example; regardless of their level of attendance. Wearing a mask is also compulsory when distances cannot be guaranteed.

The App

The Coronalert smartphone app will be launched on September 30. A press conference at the end of the month will give more information on the initiative.

September is usually the month when social clubs invite expats and newcomers to Brussels to visit their clubhouses to find out about the many social and cultural activities on offer. However, due to COVID-19 restrictions limiting events to 10 people, the BCWCB (British & Commonwealth Women's Club of Brussels) has decided to be creative and moved part of their traditional Open Day online.

The club is organising two Open Info Sessions via Zoom  on Tuesday 8 September and Thursday 17 September from 19h00 - 20h30. The sessions will be fun and informative, featuring short interviews with the club's activity leaders, from watercolour painting to jewellery making, from bridge meets to golf tournaments.

Even now, during the pandemic, the Club still organises activities while keeping everyone safe, such as online bridge, Zoom language classes, golf and walking. English-speaking women from all nationalities and all walks of life living in or near Brussels are welcome to register for the Zoom sessions by sending an email to: chairman@BCWCB.org.

Following a meeting of the Belgian National Security Council (NSC) today (Thursday, August 20) Prime Minister Sophie Wilmès has announced that the recent reinforced measures had achieved the intended results: stabilising the health situation and ‘immunising’ the start of the school year.

The PM announced a number of decisions affecting daily life:

• From 24 August shopping will again be allowed in pairs and the 30-minute time limit per store will be lifted.
• The maximum allowed "social bubble" (close contacts with whom social distancing may not be respected) remains at five people per household until at least the end of September. Other social gatherings remain limited to 10 people.
• The maximum audience limit at events will be increased again, from 100 to 200 indoors and from 200 to 400 outdoors. Up to 50 people will be allowed to attend a reception after a funeral.
• And couples in a long-distance relationship will be allowed to travel abroad to see each other from 1 September.

In the education sector Wilmès announced that all students will be able to return to school at the start of the new school year on 1 September, at all levels of education, on the basis of the "yellow code" established by the communes. The yellow code refers to a situation where the presence of the virus is still active although controlled. This system will allow a normal school week of 5 days, subject to compliance with certain health measures, such as the compulsory wearing of a mask for pupils over 12 years old and for teachers and the suspension of certain extracurricular activities in the secondary schools.

In addition to this common regime, in communes where peaks of contamination are observed, a switch to an orange colour code will then be decided by the ministers of education. This colour code implies adjustments, such as a reduced number of course days for the second and third stages of secondary education. Parents, children and teachers will be informed directly by schools.

At the higher education level, given the later start of the school year, consultations are still taking place to harmonise the rules that will apply on student campuses.

"The virus is still spreading," said prime minister Sophie Wilmès. "We know that no measure alone can eliminate the virus - we need a vaccine. The virus will continue to circulate, so we need to learn to live with it."

Wilmès stated that the estimated coronavirus infection rate in Belgium is currently 0.9, meaning the virus is in decline, but added: "We must keep up our efforts. Returning to normal today is not possible.”

Useful Links

Federal Government COVID-19 information

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

The UK government has launched a public information campaign across Europe to help UK nationals prepare for the end of the UK's transition period on December 31.

British nationals residing in Belgium will receive information on the specific measures they must take to maintain their rights but also to access services in Belgium, in particular regarding residence, healthcare, driving licenses and passports.

The campaign will use multiple channels - including Facebook, digital media and newspaper advertising - urging those affected to take the necessary steps to protect their rights so that they can continue to live, work and travel in Europe after the transition period.

In addition to this major information campaign, the British Embassy in Belgium is already working with several community groups, including the BBCA, but also directly with British nationals to inform and reassure them.

This includes providing information and support through public briefings and question-and-answer sessions attended by ambassadors and consular experts.

British Ambassador to Belgium Martin Shearman said:

“Protecting the rights of UK nationals is a top priority for us. This is why we have counselled and reassured UK nationals, to make sure they have all the information they need and that they have the certainty of their rights.

“Brits in Belgium should consult our 'Living in Belgium' guides where they can learn the steps to follow and get important information on residency, healthcare, passports and driving licenses in Belgium. "

The UK government also announced last year up to £ 3 million in grants for charities and other voluntary organizations to provide practical support to help vulnerable UK nationals who may find it difficult to complete applications for residence or registration - for example, people with mobility difficulties, disabled people or even the elderly. These groups may need additional assistance in completing the paperwork for the end of the transition period.

This additional assistance will build on the support that British Embassies have already provided since November 2017 with more than 775 events with British nationals.

The next event in Belgium is a Facebook Q&A session on Wednesday 5 August from 17h00 – see details below.

Following a meeting of the National Security Council (NSC) Belgian Prime Minister Sophie Wilmès has today (27 July) confirmed that from 29 July, for at least four weeks, the ‘social bubble’ in Belgium will be reduced from 15 to five people. This five-person limit is per household - not per person. And the bubble must be the same five people for the whole four-week period.

For private events, such as family get-togethers and weddings, the limit is now 10 people. For organised events, the maximum audience has been halved with the limit at 100 people indoors and 200 people outdoors with the wearing of face masks compulsory.

In addition, and for the same period, you must shop alone again, unless accompanying children or with a person in need. The maximum time allowed in any shop returns to 30 minutes. And, where possible, working from home is strongly encouraged.

Your contact details should also be collected if you visit a sports clubs, the hairdressers, beauty salons etc. The full list of applicable venues will be published shortly.

Finally to avoid crowding in parts of the country, the offer to grant free train travel to citizens will be postponed until September.

This tightening of coronavirus measures follows a recent 71% surge in new infections in Belgium. PM Wilmès said the new restrictions were "very strong", but the alternative would be a renewal of the full lockdown.

Local authorities are also urged to introduce more stringent local measures to combat virus 'hotspots. This is currently the case in the province of Antwerp where the local authorities have imposed a curfew from 23h30 to 6h00, teleworking is now mandatory, limitations to sporting activities apply, and restaurant and bars’ closing time has been brought forward. Even stricter rules apply within the city of Antwerp and its immediate surrounding municipalities where all events are prohibited and sport clubs are closed. People from outside the province are asked not to come to Antwerp.

You can find the press release (in French) with full details here.

Sciensano statistics updates. The latest update to the COVID-19 epidemiological situation in Belgium (in English) can be found here.

Useful Links

Federal Government COVID-19 information

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

As part of measures to contain COVID-19 and be able to tack and trace potential infection you may need to fill in a new form before or upon arrival back in Belgium from your holidays. All passengers aged 16 or older must fill in the form.

The 'Belgium_PassengerLocatorForm' must be completed by all passengers arriving in Belgium following a stay outside the Schengen Area, or, in a high-risk area as defined by the Belgian authorities and located inside the EU+ area. The UK is within the 'EU+' area.

Details of the current list of high risk/ red areas both for travel to and from Belgium within the EU+ area can be found here. In the UK only Leicester is a defined high risk area at the time of writing, but other parts of the UK are deemed 'orange' at the moment (Midlands, North East & Yorkshire, North West and Northern Ireland).

COVID testing and a 14 day quarantine are obligatory if returning from a 'red' zone and recommended if travelling from an orange zone.

Bon voyage!