Flemish cities and municipalities cannot expand the use of the Covid Safe Ticket (CST). The decision strongly resents Hans Bonte (Vooruit), mayor of Vilvoorde. ‘It ignores the complexity of the outskirts around Brussels’, he responds.
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Flanders is still suitable for the expansion of the Covid Safe Ticket. ‘In our cities and municipalities, a CST is neither necessary nor desirable’, responds the cabinet of Flemish Minister of the Interior Bart Somers (Open VLD). The Flemish ministers refer to the high vaccination rate in our regions for this. “In barely four cities the vaccination rate is below 80 percent and even there it hovers around 79 percent,” it sounds.
As a result, in Brussels and Wallonia, other, stricter measures. In Brussels, they are doing everything they can to introduce the significant expansion of the pass, including in the catering industry and leisure activities, by 15 October. The Walloon parliament has meanwhile given the green light for the same move.
Brussels edge
This leads to nervousness in the Flemish periphery around Brussels. In our capital, the vaccination rate is considerably lower. “I made a plea to the local mayors for the expansion of the corona pass and there was also support for that, just like with the provincial governor of Flemish Brabant,” responds a disappointed Hans Bonte (Vooruit), mayor of Vilvoorde. He feels abandoned by the Flemish government.
According to Bonte, the Flemish government underestimates ‘the reality and the complexity of the outskirts around Brussels.’ Bonte: ‘I am sitting here with vaccination rates that are well below the Flemish average and infection rates that are much higher than the average. I also see low vaccination rates in schools and get a lot of questions from organizers about using the corona pass.’
According to the mayor of Vilvoorde, ‘an essential instrument is being taken off your hands to protect people against the virus and to increase the vaccination rate.’ He points out that many unvaccinated young people in Brussels can enter events and fitness centers in his municipality. He therefore calls not introducing a corona pass ‘irresponsible’.
Healthcare institutions
An extension of the CST is still being considered in the healthcare sector. The Care Taskforce will meet at 3.30 pm. It seems that residential care centers will be able to decide for themselves whether they will introduce a corona pass.
Third shot
The Flemish government also confirmed on Friday afternoon that the vaccination centers will stay open longer. The aim is to administer a third shot to all over 65s before New Years, the so-called ‘booster shot’. A vaccination center will remain open in each primary care zone. ‘Proximity and accessibility have been key elements in the operation of the vaccination centers in recent months’, says Beke in a press release. ‘That will remain essential in the coming weeks as well.’
The cabinet is still examining whether there is sufficient capacity to be able to effectively administer the injections before the end of 2021. A slightly longer period may be required. With a budget of 36.6 million euros, the organization of vaccinations must be secured. An additional 22 million euros will be added to this to organize the logistics part of the vaccination centers, such as the infrastructure.
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