• Pandemic. Europe applies new restrictions against Covid-19

On the verge of registering 10,000 cases in one day (with a population of 11 million inhabitants) and with the numbers of the capital out of control, Belgium decided this Friday to close bars and restaurants across the country for a month and impose a night curfew.

The new Government, chaired by the Flemish Alexander de Croos, thus completes the 180 degree turn with respect to what was decreed by the previous Executive that was in office, which just a few weeks ago, and despite a clear deterioration, chose to ease the measures existing.

"They are very tough measures, but necessary," he

indicated, warning of the "enormous pressure" on the health system.

"The figures double every week, there are 2,000 people admitted and 35 people died yesterday."

After a very long meeting of the so-called Concertation Committee,

Belgium is not closed, but it is more restricted

.

The government has opted for more restrictive but selective measures.

In line with what was done in France or even the Netherlands, one of the most skeptical and reluctant to confine and limit the activity.

Alcohol may not be sold after 8:00 p.m., and establishments that serve take-out will have to close at 10 p.m.

However, the shops are still open and the cultural and sporting events are also open, although with limited capacity.

There is no obligation to wear a mask on the street

, something that did happen from the return of summer until October 1, and outdoor sport is still legal and is in fact recommended.

But the nuts are tightened in social relationships.

The new coalition government, known as Vivaldi, has appointed an anticovid czar,

Pedro Facon

.

His team has completed a 'barometer' on four levels, depending on the severity of the situation.

When there is a serious alert, as now, a Level 4, with strong pressure on hospitals, the bubble of close contacts is limited to one person, beyond the family or coexistence nucleus.

And furthermore,

teleworking becomes mandatory whenever possible

.

There may be meetings in a home, of up to four people, but always the same for at least two weeks.

And the Christmas markets, one of the great tourist attractions, are suspended.

Between 6 and 12 October, almost 6,000 daily infections were registered in Belgium on average.

Last Monday, 8,500 were reached and 10,000 are expected this Tuesday, as acknowledged this Friday by the interfederal spokesman for Covid-19, Yves Van Laethem.

In the same period, 325,321 tests were carried out, more than 46,000 a day, with a positivity ratio of 12.7, but which is close to 20% in Brussels.

The total number of infected exceeds 191,000 since the beginning of the pandemic, and hospitals have received instructions to prepare up to 50% of ICU beds for Covid patients.

European council

This Thursday and Friday a European Council was held and some of the continent's leaders have shown their discomfort at having to travel in these circumstances and more to a capital with those indicators.

The prime ministers of Denmark and Finland showed their discomfort in public. The Finns, in fact, had to leave early after being informed that they had had a contact with a positive.

The same happened to the president of the Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, who left the room after just an hour on Thursday.

Or the Polish Prime Minister, who did not travel.

The measures, criticized from the restaurant sector, which despite receiving compensation warns that they

have been "sacrificed"

and that the decree will lead to many bankruptcies, will enter into force on Monday.

The curfew, except for essential trips, will be applied between midnight and five in the morning.

And companies should allow teleworking whenever possible.

According to the criteria of The Trust Project

Know more

  • Belgium

  • Ursula von der Leyen

  • France

  • Finland

  • Denmark

PandemicEurope applies new restrictions against Covid-19

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