The 19 mayors of the Vlaamse Rand around Brussels will meet tomorrow morning to investigate whether they will take extra corona measures for the Rand.
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Mayor Hans Bonte (Sp.a) of Vilvoorde is already arguing for taking over the Brussels intertwining in the Vlaamse Rand. He also regrets the ‘wait-and-see attitude of the Flemish government’. While Wallonia and Brussels are taking stricter corona measures, Flanders is holding back for the time being.
Bonte says that there are as many positive tests in the Vlaamse Rand as in Brussels. And that the virus is spreading at an even faster pace than in the capital.
Earlier this weekend, the mayor of Vilvoord had asked for support and additional steps from Flanders. ‘It is true that we can take local measures and we will also take that responsibility,’ says Bonte. ‘But we are doing that in anticipation of new Flemish measures, which I think are also necessary.’
The mayor of Vilvoorde has meanwhile consulted with the Flemish Brabant provincial governor and, together with the eighteen other mayors from the Vlaamse Rand, is scrutinizing the situation. If it depends on Bonte itself, the Vlaamse Rand will best align itself with the intertwined Brussels, including a temporary closure of the sports and culture sector. ‘Otherwise you just get the waterbed effect in the Rand.
His colleague from Dilbeek, Willy Segers (N-VA), is not in favor of local measures. ‘Unity of measures is necessary in order not to send confusing signals to the population. In one municipality like this, in another like this… No, I opt for a general approach, ‘he told Radio 1.
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