enlarged social bubble, reopening of swimming pools, shows for the public …

This Wednesday is a new National Security Council (CNS). Prime Minister Sophie Wilmès, the Minister-Presidents of the Regions and Communities, the principal ministers of the federal government and the experts have been meeting since 9:00 am. Dnew deconfinement measures should be taken especially concerning the enlargement of our social bubble and group leisure. These measures are expected to come into effect on July 1. You can follow the press conference which will take place at the end of this meeting live on our RTBF Info site and on the front page.

As a reminder, Belgium has opted for a progressive deconfinement, in stages, which began on May 4. During the last National Security Council, Sophie Wilmès, the Prime Minister explained that “We have gone from everything is prohibited except … to everything is authorized except”.

Towards an enlargement of the social bubble

Since June 8, the so-called “social bubble” has increased from 4 to 10 people. These 10 people could change every week. Today, the question of the enlargement of this bubble is on the table of the CNS.

“I support it“, announces Pierre-Yves Jeholet (MR), the Minister-president of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation, interviewed on his arrival at the CNS.”There is a social need but you have to be careful. We are not safe from a coronavirus rebound. This is the balance and the difficulty of the exercise that we have been doing at the National Security Council from the start“he adds.

From July 1, the village halls should reopen and authorize events with a maximum of 50 people.

Review the closing time of cafes?

After overflows from last weekend and unauthorized festive gatherings in public space, a question arises: will the CNS review the coffee closing time, which is today set at 1 am? “This is a debate that we must have because there are arguments for and against,” said Denis Ducarme (MR), the Federal Minister for SMEs, upon his arrival at the CNS. “Care must be taken to continue to have a careful deconfinement and safety for the coffee maker, his staff and consumers“.

Pierre-Yves Jeholet recalls that “sometimes you have to be pragmatic and see the result you want to achieve“. But the Minister-president of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation also insists that”we must try to make these people aware of their irresponsibility. Today, if we can deconfinate, it is because our fellow citizens have made a lot, a lot, a lot of effort for several weeks. What happened is disrespectful to all these people and all those who work on the front line“.

We will therefore have to wait for the press conference to find out what has been decided. But anyway, “one can imagine a call to order from the Prime Minister“confides a participant to the CNS.

Cultural events: 200 people maximum

Since the last CNS, a small resumption of cultural activities had been initiated. Rehearsals had been able to resume and the animal parks had been able to reopen.

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This time, the public will be able to join the artists and return to the theater, the cinema or even go to a concert, from July 1. A maximum of 200 people should be in these places and only in seated places with respect for social distancing.

The casinos, which, unlike the catering industry, had not yet been able to reopen, should this time be able to open up from July 1.

The same goes for the amusement parks which may reopen to the public. Unlike the animal parks, they had to remain closed after the last National Security Council.

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Sport for many

During the last National Security Council, the sports halls were able to welcome the public again after several weeks of closure. Sports activities could take place with a maximum of 20 people. The pools and saunas must have been closed. The National Security Council this Wednesday is expected to expand the measures.

Indeed, from July 1st, the swimming pools will be able to open to the public. But specific measures will have to be put in place. The issue of changing rooms and showers, as well as in sports halls, is a point of particular attention. Sports activities with a maximum of 50 people can be organized.

The question of contact sports such as boxing or judo will also be on the menu for discussions.

No large gathering

Large gatherings should still not be allowed until August 31. Thus the festivals planned for this summer will not take place.

However, from July 1, events hosting a maximum of 200 people will be authorized again.

A relief for the events sector.

As for religious services, they should be able to accommodate 200 people, against 100 currently.

Village festivals and fairs will have to wait until August 1 before they can be organized again.

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