New relaxation of the corona measures will commence on 1 July. These were announced by the government to the last Security Council. In principle, only mass events and nightlife remain off-limits, although hygiene measures remain in force everywhere else.
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This means, among other things, that swimming pools, wellness centers, amusement parks, indoor playgrounds, congress halls, arcades and casinos may open their doors again on Wednesday, always respecting a whole range of rules that are laid down in protocols per sector, with an emphasis on social distance, hygiene and crowd management.
For the wellnesscentra This means, for example, that a mouth mask is mandatory for massages, both for customers and staff. Hamams, steam baths, and Jacuzzis remain closed because the virus can spread there faster – except for private use.
Amusement parks and indoor playgrounds will then again be obliged to work with reservations within a certain time slot. The parts of attractions that come into contact with the visitors must be regularly disinfected, and the ball pool remains closed.
In casino’s Finally, one player is allowed per machine and a minimum distance of 1.5 meters between the machines must be guaranteed. If that does not work, then there must be a barrier in plexiglass or players must wear a mask. Gaming tables, chips, coins or cards must be adequately disinfected and the casinos must close at 1 pm at the latest.
Culture, events and demonstrations
The cultural sector can also breathe somewhat relieved: from 1 July, cultural activities with the public will be allowed again. The general rules regarding distance and hygiene also apply there. In addition, the National Security Council sets a limit for it number of visitors fixed: for activities that within taking place in permanent structures – theaters, cinemas, concert halls – are maximum 200 people allowed, Outside be there 400. In August, those numbers can be adjusted to 400 and 800 visitors respectively, if the statistics allow it.
Reception rooms can open the doors for weddings or coffee tables from Wednesday, but the maximum number of people present is there 50. From August 1, that number will be expanded to 100 people. The same rules apply for these meetings as for the catering industry, with the exception of the rule that says that all guests must remain at their own table. The wedding ceremony from July 1, it is possible with a maximum 200 people continue, from August 1 that will be a maximum of 400 people.
Also demonstrations are possible again from 1 July, subject to permission from the local government. They must take place outside, be static, maximum 400 participants count and take into account the safety distance.
Whirlpool
Although a lot more people can go to an event, it is not the intention that people will invite hundreds of people at home from July 1. The maximum number of people we can see per week will go from 10 to 1 July 15, but it will stay there for now. Nothing has yet been announced for a possible expansion of the bubble from August 1.
Shopping (with or without mouth mask)
The Security Council has not only cleared up a number of issues that have been banned so far, but some surrounding measures for activities that could already be done are being revamped. For example, from Wednesday people can go shopping with other people out of their ‘bubble’, so they should no longer go alone. The time limit also expires.
In front of markets the maximum number of 50 stalls will then expire. The worship services go as expected from a maximum of 100 to 200 attendees. In August this can go to 400.
A mondmasker wearing when shopping remains strongly recommended, but contrary to what virologists and experts previously suggested, it is not mandatory. However, the hygiene and distance rules when shopping still apply and mouth masks are strongly recommended anyway.
In Deinze, Mayor Jan Vermeulen (CD&V) announced on Tuesday that everyone older than 12 years should wear a mouth mask to the supermarket. He was whistled back by party member and interior minister Pieter De Crem. “The ministerial decision is clear: mask wear is strongly recommended. We are in the federal phase, we do not intend to interpret the measures more or less strictly ‘, De Crem says. That is why the East-Flemish governor Didier Detollenaere has reacted that the obligation is now ‘not opportune’ and that he will overturn Mayor Vermeulen’s decision.
Review below the Security Council press conference announcing the easing of measures:
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