The covid infections and hospital admissions are evolving favourably, and the vaccination campaign is now also running like a train. Still, scientists remain vigilant. “Travel abroad during the summer holidays is a cause for concern,” said Erika Vlieghe, head of the Gems advisory council.
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More than 5 million Belgians have now received a first dose of one of the corona vaccines and that is reflected in the figures. lying there again fewer 1,000 covid patients in hospital and the average number of daily withdrawals has fallen below the symbolic threshold of 75. This is evident from the figures of health agency Sciensano. They are a boost in light of June 9, the day on which a whole battery of easing comes into effect.
And Flemish Prime Minister Jan Jambon (N-VA) wants to continue on that momentum, he said this morning in the seventh day. ‘Nothing has actually been decided yet about the number of social contacts in July and August. That subject will be on the agenda during next week’s consultation committee.’ The intention is to expand the bubble of four, also in the catering industry, Jambon says.
Concern
It’s no secret that the virologists aren’t too happy with the’guessof politics. Following the conversation with Jambon, Erika Vlieghe, head of the Gems expert group that advises policy makers, called for relaxation to be as safe as possible. ‘The numbers are good, but we also have to keep them good. I have the impression that a lot of people have held back when it comes to social contacts, let’s remain vigilant.’
With the summer approaching, it is mainly the travels abroad that are causing the Gems’ concern. Vlieghe: ‘A large number of people have not yet been fully vaccinated and will remain so for quite a few weeks. That is why we keep insisting that it must also be as safe as possible within the relaxation.’
‘Travel is the best way to introduce new variants. Not only the Indian variant (or Delta variant), but also the South African, Brazilian… Vaccination and testing are important tools, but we have seen in the past what foreign travel has done with those variants. Traveling outside of Europe will certainly remain a risk for a while.’
Even if the Wetstraat is sailing a course that deviates more and more from the sailing route proposed by the Gems, the Antwerp virologist believes that it is the task of scientists to continue to study the figures and to warn society.
Children
The travel sector itself is pleased that some travel can be done within Europe, although it is ‘just too late’, according to Annick Desmet of the Association of Flemish Travel Agencies in the seventh day. ‘Summer will start within three weeks, and the world is not yet open. Intercontinental travel is not included on a large scale, and that is the majority of our offer. Travel within Europe only represents 10 percent.’
Desmet insists that safe travel should be possible if the rules are followed properly, but also notes that different countries have different rules. ‘Certainly with regard to the conditions for children. Do they also have to undergo a mandatory test? One country says from 15 years old, the other country from 18 years old, what about 15 to 18 year olds? Children are the biggest problem.’
According to Jambon, the Flemish government wants to do everything in its power to achieve the high vaccination rate and will therefore respond flexibly to people who want to postpone their (second) injection due to a summer holiday. ‘We do want to send the message that you are not really free until you have had two shots.’ His government is launching a new awareness campaign to call on the Flemish to deal wisely with the relaxation. The motto is: ‘Enjoy with measures’.
Kama moves: traveling in times of corona
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