Belgium to ease almost all coronavirus rules

Wearing face masks in public transport and completing travel forms upon arrival to Belgium will no longer be mandatory as of Monday, the Belgian government announced.

Meeting online in the so-called consultation committee, the government decided to lift most of the remaining measures aimed at curbing the spread of the coronavirus, with fewer cases and hospital admissions.

Starting Monday, people will only have to wear face masks in hospitals and medical premises including pharmacies, as the requirement to cover nose and mouth in public transport will be dropped.

The ban on non-essential travel from outside the EU also will be lifted, and people won’t have to complete the passenger locator form nor get tested upon arrival in Belgium.

The coronavirus barometer, aimed at gauging the seriousness of the crisis, also will be deactivated.

While the end of the coronavirus pandemic seems near, Belgium on Friday reported two cases of monkeypox, another virus that is spreading in several countries.

Photo – A woman wearing face mask waits for the tram near Atomium monument in Brussels , Belgium. EPA-EFE/OLIVIER HOSLET

Via Politico