Two weeks' quarantine and a compulsory corona test for travelers from Sweden to Belgium are now valid, announced by the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The same rules also apply to incoming Leicester in the UK, two areas in Spain and several parts of Portugal, including the capital Lisbon.

Furthermore, this weekend Belgian citizens are advised against making unnecessary trips to Sweden.

The travel rules are updated on an ongoing basis and are valid until further notice.

"Wrong strategy"

Foreign Minister Ann Linde (S) was admittedly allowed to attend Monday's ministerial meeting in Brussels, but is still not fond of the border barrier.

- I think it is a great shame that there have been so many borders across Europe. The main question is to have social distance, that you wash your hands and that you do not go out if you have the slightest symptoms. And it doesn't matter if it is in Sweden or in another country, says Linde after the meeting.

- It is the wrong strategy to close boundaries. This is not what prevents the infection from spreading, Linde believes.

Many dead

Belgium, after little San Marino, is the country in Europe worst hit per capita by the corona crisis, with around 9,800 dead. Although the number of new cases has dropped dramatically in recent times, there is a continuing concern that the spread will accelerate again.

Last week, for example, the requirements to wear mouthguards to all stores in the country were tightened, for example. Earlier, mouth protection is also required in all public transport, at airports and railway stations.