Closed gates, drawn curtains. Like Italy or France before it, Belgium is also taking draconian measures to try to stem the coronavirus pandemic. Schools, cafes, restaurants, nightclubs will be closed across the country and all gatherings will be canceled "regardless of their size and nature," Belgian Prime Minister Sophie Wilmès announced on Thursday evening.
The closure of the schools, at the national level, will be effective from the next weekend "until Friday, April 3 inclusive", the eve of the Easter holidays, said Ms. Wilmès at a press conference after a National Security Council dedicated to Covid-19.
The cribs remain open
During these three weeks, however, reception will be possible in schools for children whose parents work in hospitals and care in general. "This rule should not prevent hospitals and health centers from operating normally," said the Prime Minister. The crèches will remain open, she said. As for universities, several of them had already announced earlier today the suspension of courses on site.
Regarding the rallies, the National Security Council - bringing together around the main federal ministers the presidents of the federated entities - took drastic measures. "All recreational, sporting, cultural, folk activities, regardless of their size and nature, public or private, are canceled," said Sophie Wilmès.
"Avoid situations like in Italy"
The head of government said that all these measures valid for the three regions (Flanders, Wallonia and Brussels) would come into effect from midnight on the night of Friday to Saturday, until April 3. “This is not a lockdown (note: a complete blockage) . We want to avoid situations like in Italy, ”said Ms. Wilmès, referring to the European country most affected by the Covid-19 epidemic, having more than a thousand deaths.
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Belgium, a country of 11.4 million inhabitants, has so far identified 399 cases of contamination. Three of these patients died, a 90 year old woman and two 73 and 86 year old men.
On Thursday evening, the Prime Minister again stressed the need to protect seniors in particular. Parents who would be forced to call on grandparents to look after their children will also be able to benefit from the reception maintained in schools, she explained.
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Finally, stores that do not provide essential products or services (excluding food and pharmacy) must remain closed on weekends.
