Brussels Institutes Stricter Covid-19 Measures in Response to Rising Infection Numbers

Brussels instituted an extended curfew and canceled Halloween trick-or-treating due to rising cases of COVID-19. (Flickr.)

The local government in Brussels, Belgium instituted an extended curfew and canceled Halloween trick-or-treating due to rising cases of COVID-19. The new measures will begin on October 16 and continue until November 19 in all the municipalities within Brussels.

The lockdown in Brussels comes after virologist Steven Van Gucht declared Brussels and Wallonia to have the most COVID-19 infections per capita in Europe. Infection numbers are rising, especially in southern Belgium. Van Gucht elaborated, “You can only conclude that Brussels and Wallonia are currently very badly affected, as far as the number of infections is concerned.

Belgium has been testing more and has a higher capacity for intensive care beds than other European countries who have gone into lockdown. But, there are concerns that if infection numbers continue to rise, capacity for beds could get tight.

Before the new measures, curfew lasted from midnight until 5 AM. It has now been extended from 10 PM to 6 AM. Additionally, masks will be mandatory in public and public gatherings will have a maximum limit of four people. Shops will have to close by 8 PM while takeaway restaurants will have to close by 10 PM. Sports venues, including gyms and swimming pools, will be closed. And finally, cultural venues, including museums and exhibitions, will be closed. Rudi Vervoort, premier of Brussels, also notes, “And, of course, there will be no door-to-door, no processions at Halloween—all of that, clearly, is also forbidden.”

While the government has instituted these measures, they hope that the public will support them. Vervoort explained, “We won’t get out of this if what we decide today doesn’t have broad public support.” He also emphasized the urgency of the situation in Brussels, stating, “The situation is very serious, it cannot remain this way.” 

Microbiologist Emmanuel André agreed with the measures: “We must no longer ask ourselves what we should close. We must ask ourselves what to leave open.”

The new measures come following lockdowns or extensions of lockdowns in other European countries, including Britain and France. While other countries have experienced opposition from certain political groups, Belgium’s leaders remain more in agreement about the new measures in hopes to curb the rising virus rates.