Brusses (Brussels Morning) Since 9 am yesterday, our regional and national representatives have gathered for a new Consultation Committee, the third in less than 20 days. Mask is compulsory.
The closure of the hospitality industry maintained at 11 PM
The authorities have succeeded in reaching an agreement concerning the hotel and catering industry. While the Gems, the group of experts responsible for advising the government in the fight against the coronavirus, recommended that restaurants and cafes be closed at 8 PM, the Concertation Committee decided to disregard the opinion. The closure of these places remains fixed at 11 PM, with a maximum of 6 people per table.
Wearing a mask is compulsory from the age of 6
Wearing a mask becomes compulsory from the age of 6, where wearing it is already required.
Nursery and primary schools closed from December 18, secondary in hybrid
Regarding schools, the Christmas holidays for nursery and primary education will begin a week earlier, on December 20. When two students are infected within the same class, it will have to close. A reception will be provided for the children of parents without a care solution.
Classes and premises where students and faculty meet must be equipped with a device to measure the level of CO2 in the air.
For secondary education, the hybrid model, 50% remote and 50% face-to-face will apply until exams.
Higher education will continue to offer 100% face-to-face learning activities. The organization of the January exams is also planned in person. “ The presence on campus will therefore be strictly limited to learning, study and evaluation activities”, underlines the Minister of Higher Education, Valérie Glatigny.
Private and public events
All private gatherings and activities indoors are prohibited except for sport, in private homes and during events such as weddings and funerals.
For public indoor events, from Saturday 4 December, those bringing together more than 4,000 people can no longer take place. Art events, cultural performances and others, as well as the congress inside, are allowed under certain conditions: maximum 200 guests, seated audience, wearing a mask, Covid Safe Ticket compulsory from 50 participants.
Cinemas can accommodate a maximum of 200 people per room, subject to a distance of 1.5m between each group. Sports activities can take place indoors but without an audience. The same goes for competitions. Underage participants may however be accompanied by two adults.
For public outdoor events, the authorities point out that the organizers are responsible for managing the crowd. Codeco then asks local entities to strictly control these measures. If these measures cannot be observed, the events must be canceled.