(Belga) The Consultation Committee decided on Friday to allow more outdoor activities. The aim is to give the population some oxygen again in the fight against the corona virus. For example, ten people can get together outside, if they wear a mouth mask and keep the necessary distance. “As long as it is outside and those precautions are respected, the risk is not too bad,” reacted virologist Marc Van Ranst. “Mental health, youth and the outdoor bubble were priorities for the experts.”
Van Ranst did clarify that barbecues in the gardens will have to be postponed a bit. “Eating shoulder to shoulder is not yet possible,” says the virologist. “Again: for outdoor activities, people will have to keep their distance and wear a face mask.” The catering industry can open their doors on 1 May, both indoors and outdoors. “Hopefully we will be in much better waters then”, responds Van Ranst. “That is still a long time and a lot can still happen. If it still goes in the wrong direction, we can still turn that decision. But knowing that the vaccination is at full force, we will be fine.” The experts’ proposal also states to maintain the travel ban. “The fact that this has been taken over by the governments, together with a catering industry that does not open immediately, is a good thing to prevent the spread of the virus and its variants,” says Van Ranst. Outdoor sports are also possible, in groups of up to ten people, but the virologist emphasizes that you must pay close attention to what happens before or after exercise. Van Ranst decided that we should be optimistic, and he believes that a third wave has now been avoided. The number of hospital admissions is still high, but the rate of increase in infection rates has fallen. “If we look at the long term, we are on a stable plateau. Compared to our neighboring countries, we are not doing bad at all, with the recipe of measures we have now. And also with the extra freedom that will give us the coming months. I believe that the population will continue to behave responsibly. ” The viroolog also points out that next week is the unfortunate first anniversary of the lockdown. “We should not underestimate that, it will affect people. That is why it is good that prospects are offered to different sectors and the population.” Van Ranst also assumes that the announced relaxation will not have to be reversed. “A new Consultation Committee is scheduled for March 26, then the situation will be reviewed. In addition, a lot more people will have been vaccinated by then. And next week, Johnson and Johnson’s vaccine will in all likelihood be approved. will also mean an acceleration of the vaccinations. Sometimes we also have to assume that we will occasionally have windfalls. ” (Belga)
Van Ranst did clarify that barbecues in the gardens will have to be postponed a bit. “Eating shoulder to shoulder is not yet possible,” says the virologist. “Again: for outdoor activities, people will have to keep their distance and wear a face mask.” The catering industry can open their doors on 1 May, both indoors and outdoors. “Hopefully we will be in much better waters then”, responds Van Ranst. “That is still a long time and a lot can still happen. If it still goes in the wrong direction, we can still turn that decision. But knowing that the vaccination is at full force, we will be fine.” The experts’ proposal also states to maintain the travel ban. “The fact that this has been taken over by the governments, together with a catering industry that does not open immediately, is a good thing to prevent the spread of the virus and its variants,” says Van Ranst. Outdoor sports are also possible, in groups of up to ten people, but the virologist emphasizes that you must pay close attention to what happens before or after exercise. Van Ranst decided that we should be optimistic, and he believes that a third wave has now been avoided. The number of hospital admissions is still high, but the rate of increase in infection rates has fallen. “If we look at the long term, we are on a stable plateau. Compared to our neighboring countries, we are not doing bad at all, with the recipe of measures we have now. And also with the extra freedom that will give us the coming months. I believe that the population will continue to behave responsibly. ” The viroolog also points out that next week is the unfortunate first anniversary of the lockdown. “We should not underestimate that, it will affect people. That is why it is good that prospects are offered to different sectors and the population.” Van Ranst also assumes that the announced relaxation will not have to be reversed. “A new Consultation Committee is scheduled for March 26, then the situation will be reviewed. In addition, a lot more people will have been vaccinated by then. And next week, Johnson and Johnson’s vaccine will in all likelihood be approved. will also mean an acceleration of the vaccinations. Sometimes we also have to assume that we will occasionally have windfalls. ” (Belga)
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