Reverse, all!
This Wednesday, the Belgian executive gave up closing cultural places in the country.
The measure, taken to stem the spread of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus, had been disowned by the courts.
Indeed, the day before, the Council of State, the highest administrative jurisdiction in the country, suspended the closure of theaters, cinemas and performance halls, following the summary appeal of a theater producer.
As in France, this restriction provokes the anger of artistic circles.
Several thousand people, 5,000 according to the police, demonstrated on Sunday in Brussels to demand the withdrawal of this measure to fight against Covid-19.
Open, but restricted
Speaking of "inconsistency" or even "aberration", several health experts then denounced the closure of cultural places in Belgium, deeming it all the more surprising that, at the same time, cafes and restaurants could remain open until the end of the day. at 11 p.m. nationwide.
Remarks heard by the Council of State, which considered that the authorities did not demonstrate "how the rooms would promote the spread of the coronavirus, to the point that it is necessary to order their closure".
Closed since December 26, places of culture will therefore be able to raise the curtain again, well before the end of the restrictions, initially scheduled for January 28.
A news that exhibitors and artists are delighted with.
However, they will not be exempt from the measures.
The events will take place seated only, with a mask and a reduced gauge.
Rules already in force on December 3.
And already debated.
Especially since the decision is emulated: several sports federations rushed into the breach by calling on Wednesday for an easing of health restrictions prohibiting the presence of the public in the stadiums, threatening to also resort to the Council of State.