Virologists fear that a new lockdown is inevitable now that the contamination figures get out of hand. Several cities are already tightening up the corona measures. Are we heading for a new mandatory store closure?
Cafes and restaurants closed again
Now that the number of corona infections is rising exponentially again, the pressure on politicians to intervene is increasing. “If it doesn’t improve, we will take extra measures,” said Prime Minister Alexander De Croo last weekend. Minister of Health Frank Vandenbroucke added that he cannot rule out a new lockdown: “I cannot guarantee anything. It will be a difficult autumn. ” These signals are again causing great concern among retailers.
What would such a new lockdown mean for trade? All cafes and restaurants may have to be locked again. In Brussels, the cafes had already closed, other cities brought forward the mandatory closing time. In Leuven, restaurants also have to close at 11 pm on weekdays. Some provinces are considering a curfew or a ban on gathering together. “That worked quickly in Antwerp, ”Says Biostatistician Geert Molenberghs results in De Standaard.
“Enforce measures”
However, a closure of all non-essential stores, such as in March and April, does not seem to be an option. The economic damage would be enormous and there is no indication that shopping is a major source of contamination. “That can be organized and controlled, so I see little reason to close them,” says Molenberghs. “It is not the driving force behind the epidemic. Even shopping alone is not necessary. ”
Entrepreneurial organization Unizo wants to avoid having to close companies a second time this year and insists on strict enforcement of the rules. “The effect of the entanglement is already a necessary evil for our economy, but a new closure would be the absolute deathblow for a large part of our self-employed entrepreneurs”, managing director Danny Van Assche warns. “The common thread in this corona crisis was that following up the measures is essential to achieve a decrease in the number of infections. That is why we call for everyone to follow the measures and that the rules are correctly checked. ”
–
