Belgium - Population: 11,539,328
Lockdown & social distancing
All counter measures
2020-07-01 Limit public gatherings It will be possible to organise activities with an audience present from 1 July, subject to certain ... info-coronavirus
2020-07-01 Closure of businesses and public services From the 1st of July, everything will reopen, e.g. libraries, theme parks, indoor playgrounds and ca... info-coronavirus
2020-07-01 Partial lockdown Countyr will move to phase 4 on July 1st.... info-coronavirus
2020-06-17 Economic measures The “12 months +” Impulse aids, which aim to return people who have been unemployed for more tha... Government of Wallonia
2020-06-15 Testing policy All close contacts of coronavirus patients will be tested... Brussels Times
2020-06-15 Other public health measures enforced Flight resumption: ‘full planes’ allowed again at Brussels Airlines... Brussels Times
2020-06-15 International flights suspension Brussels airlines to resume flights, though with limited destinations... Brussels Times
2020-06-15 Border closure  Belgium will open its borders to travel to and from the EU, including the UK and the four other Sche... Government
2020-06-13 Economic measures Extension of parental benefits for the benefit of parents who are self-employed in July and August... Government
2020-06-11 Other public health measures enforced Framework guidelines help return to a new normal... Government of Flanders
2020-06-10 General recommendations Recommendations on steps to maintain mental health published... Government of Flanders
2020-06-10 Closure of businesses and public services Saint-Josse forbids sex work until 1 July... Brussels Times
2020-06-10 Surveillance and monitoring Installing of smart cameras around the coastline to track visitors and respond better... Brussels Times
2020-06-09 Closure of businesses and public services Thalys, the high-speed train company, to increase service again... Brussels Times
2020-06-08 Schools closure  Primary schools able to resume their lessons... Government
2020-06-08 Closure of businesses and public services As for the banquet and reception areas in hospitality sector to reopen with max. 50 persons... Government
2020-06-08 Requirement to wear protective gear in public For waiters in restaurants, cafes, etc.... Government
2020-06-08 Limit public gatherings Contactless sports activities can be resumed, indoor and outdoor, amateur or professional, competiti... Government
2020-06-08 Other public health measures enforced Residential care centres allowed to take up new residents... Government
2020-06-08 Closure of businesses and public services Gradual restoring of public service office functioning, while telework remains standard... Government of Wallonia
2020-06-07 Economic measures Extension of voucher system for event organizers... Government
2020-06-07 Strengthening the public health system Belgium’s Health Minister announces one-billion-euro injection for hospitals... Brussels Times
2020-06-04 Border closure  Non-essential travel abroad remains banned... Government
2020-06-03 General recommendations To continue telework where possible remains... Government
2020-06-03 International flights suspension Gradual restart of Wallonian airports... Brussels Times
2020-06-03 Health screenings in airports and border crossings ... Brussels Times
2020-06-02 Schools closure  Preschools able to resume their lessons... Government
2020-06-02 Other public health measures enforced Assisted-living apartments can take up residents again ... Government
2020-06-01 Strengthening the public health system Financing of extraordinary costs in healthcare sector... Government
2020-06-01 Economic measures Promotion campaign and financial support for Walloon tourism... Government Wallonia
2020-06-01 Limit public gatherings Phase 3: People can see 10 others per week... Brussels Times
2020-05-30 Border closure  Family visit to abroad counts now also as essential reason... Government
2020-05-27 Schools closure  Secondary education institutions are allowed to allow more pupils to return to school, though for fe... Government
2020-05-27 Limit public gatherings Children under 13 allowed to visit public playgrounds again, though maximum of 20 children at a time... Brussels Times
2020-05-25 Isolation and quarantine policies Extended visiting and contact options in psychiatric care homes and residential rehabilitation facil... Flemish Government
2020-05-20 Domestic travel restrictions People are allowed to visit their second home again... Brussels Times
2020-05-18 Schools closure  Schools can open from 15th to do the necessary adjustments to start again on 18th; opening though gr... Government of Flanders
2020-05-18 Schools closure  Schools to reopen; opening though gradual (only certain classes will be started with) and under stri... Government of Wallonia
2020-05-18 Closure of businesses and public services Gradual uptake of school support services... Government of Wallonia
2020-05-18 Requirement to wear protective gear in public For professions requiring close contact with customers... Government
2020-05-18 Limit public gatherings Regular outdoor group sports training and lessons may resume, provided social distancing is adhered ... Government
2020-05-18 Amendments to funeral and burial regulations Max. of 30 persons allowed again at funerals... Government
2020-05-18 Closure of businesses and public services Skateparks and football fields to reopen... Brussels Times
2020-05-17 Other public health measures enforced Some grandparents may see the grandchildren again, under circumstances (e.g. if parents need care su... Brussels Times
2020-05-17 Emergency administrative structures activated or established Flanders sets up a social recovery committee... Brussels Times
2020-05-15 Awareness campaigns To use cycling as mode of public transport when restrictions are being eased... Brussels Times
2020-05-15 International flights suspension Brussels ariline to resume flights by 15th May... VRT
2020-05-13 Limit public gatherings Most public spaces again accessible to the general public, certain restrictions are to be met though... Government of Wallonia
2020-05-12 Economic measures Bill introduced to temporarily halt home foreclosures... Brussels Times
2020-05-11 Closure of businesses and public services This phase allows the shops to open again at the same time - without discrimination based on size or... Government
2020-05-11 Closure of businesses and public services Driving schools allowed to reopen (courses from 11th, exams from 18th)... Government of Flanders
2020-05-11 Closure of businesses and public services Reception desks and in-person services of public administration to reopen... Government of Wallonia
2020-05-11 General recommendations Customers are strongly recommended to wear protection that covers the nose and mouth when inside a s... Government
2020-05-11 Limit public gatherings Shopping is to be done alone, to avoid overcrowding... Government
2020-05-11 Other public health measures enforced The federal government publishes a guide with recommendations for the gradual return to the workplac... Government
2020-05-11 Strengthening the public health system Ambulatory and mobile activities may slowly be uptaken again (e.g. home visits)... Government of Flanders
2020-05-11 Requirement to wear protective gear in public The use of mouth masks by caregivers and clients (from the age of 12 years) is mandatory... Government of Flanders
2020-05-11 General recommendations Any health service that can be provided at home (e.g. physical rehabilitation for younger persons) i... Government of Flanders
2020-05-11 Surveillance and monitoring Capacity of contact tracing centres increased, with additional 570 persons hired... Government of Wallonia
2020-05-11 Requirement to wear protective gear in public Wearing of mouth masks compulsory in shopping streets and malls where it is difficult to ensure soci... VRT
2020-05-11 Closure of businesses and public services Brussels public transport company MIVB is to increase the number of buses, trams and underground tra... VRT
2020-05-11 Checkpoints within the country Checkpoints suspended as non-essential travel is gradually allowed again... VRT
2020-05-11 Public services closure  This phase allows the shops to open again at the same time - without discrimination based on size or... Government
2020-05-10 Limit public gatherings Additionally to the 2 persons that may be met outside every family can meet 4 people inside their ho... Government
2020-05-09 Economic measures Government extends the period of validity of meal vouchers, eco vouchers, gift vouchers and sports /... Government
2020-05-08 Isolation and quarantine policies Visiting residential care centers is again possible with each residential care center determining wh... Government of Flanders
2020-05-08 Limit public gatherings Parents are allowed to attend weddings of their children again... Brussels Times
2020-05-07 General recommendations To provide extra care for persons in social isolation at home so they are not lonely... Government of Flanders
2020-05-06 Testing policy Start of testing in facilities for people with disabilities and mental health... Government of Wallonia
2020-05-05 Other public health measures enforced A 'keep right' rule in shopping streets... VRT
2020-05-04 Closure of businesses and public services Fabric shops, which - given their important role in the production of mouth masks - are allowed to o... Government
2020-05-04 Closure of businesses and public services Car inspection facilities are allowed to reopen... Government of Flanders
2020-05-04 Strengthening the public health system Strengthening of the contract tracing capacity through volunteers and phone based questionnaires; no... Government of Wallonia
2020-05-04 Testing policy The test criteria have been extended and allow patients with mild symptoms to be tested. Contacts of... Government
2020-05-04 Closure of businesses and public services Reopening of technical inspection stations, e.g. for cars... Government of Wallonia
2020-05-04 Other public health measures enforced ‘Quarantine certificates’ to be issued by Belgian doctors that highlights somebody should not go... Brussels Times
2020-05-04 Requirement to wear protective gear in public Mandatory on public transport for users aged 12 years and older... Government
2020-05-04 General recommendations To upkeep telework as much as possible... Government
2020-05-04 Public services closure  Fabric shops, which - given their important role in the production of mouth masks - are allowed to o... Government
2020-05-04 Limit public gatherings Outdoor physical activity is allowed with up to two people, in addition to those living under the sa... Government
2020-05-04 Strengthening the public health system Non-urgent appointments are gradually taken up again... Government
2020-05-01 Limit public gatherings Always 1.5 m minimum distance... Government
2020-05-01 General recommendations Keep social contact to a minimum, even with gradually reopening... Government
2020-04-28 Other public health measures enforced Additional guidelines established by the region on visits of elderly homes or care institutions, due... Government of Wallonia
2020-04-24 Economic measures The Brussels government will give a one-time premium of €214.68 to tenants with a low income who a... Brussels Times
2020-04-24 Emergency administrative structures activated or established Flemish government establishs task force to protect vulnerable families... Brussels Times
2020-04-24 Psychological assistance and medical social work Psychosocial offer for care and welfare via dezorgsamen.be... Government of Flanders
2020-04-24 Awareness campaigns The importance of upkeeping general safety rules (e.g. physical distancing) despite gradual opening ... Government
2020-04-24 General recommendations Wearing of protective face mask in public... Government
2020-04-24 Other public health measures enforced Distribution of face masks to individual citizens in combination with mandatory mask regulation... Government
2020-04-23 Awareness campaigns General call for sustained solidarity... Government
2020-04-22 Economic measures € 285 million comes on top of the € 233 million already allocated in March to support the econom... Government of Wallonia
2020-04-22 Psychological assistance and medical social work Engagement of 141 psychologists who will provide support and accompaniment to residents and caregive... Government of Wallonia
2020-04-22 Strengthening the public health system € 25 million to finance research projects carried out by Walloon companies in the fight against th... Government of Wallonia
2020-04-21 Other public health measures enforced All staff in residential care centres who come into contact with residents will have to wear a surgi... Brussels Times
2020-04-21 Other public health measures enforced City of Brussels lowers speed limit to 20 km/h to widen the areas that people can move... Brussels Times
2020-04-15 Closure of businesses and public services DIY stores and garden centres to re-open under the same social distancing rules as supermarkets... Government
2020-04-15 Isolation and quarantine policies Allow that residents of residential facilities – for example, nursing homes, care homes and facili... Government
2020-04-15 Partial lockdown Extented until 3rd May: Police enforced general lock-down limiting the leaving of ones home only for... Government
2020-04-15 Public services closure  DIY stores and garden centres to re-open under the same social distancing rules as supermarkets... Government
2020-04-15 Other public health measures enforced Allow that residents of residential facilities – for example, nursing homes, care homes and facili... Government
2020-04-15 Border checks  Extension until 3rd May... Government
2020-04-15 Limit public gatherings Extension until 3rd May of prohibition of gatherings... Government
2020-04-14 Strengthening the public health system Entrance exam and re-assessment of doctors postponed until August ... Government of Flanders
2020-04-12 Strengthening the public health system Staff at COVID testing department may continue working, despite tested positive, if not symptoms and... Government
2020-04-11 Economic measures Access of asylum seekers to the labor market provided that they have submitted their application... Government
2020-04-10 Testing policy With increased testing capacities, 20 000 tests are allocated for residental care centres, retiremen... Government
2020-04-08 Emergency administrative structures activated or established A corona task force has been implemented ... Government of Flanders
2020-04-07 Closure of businesses and public services Recycling parks allowed to reopen for urgent matters; recommendations to not go there for non-urgent... Government
2020-04-07 Public services closure  Recycling parks allowed to reopen for urgent matters; recommendations to not go there for non-urgent... Government
2020-04-01 Economic measures Unemployed persons do not need to pay gas, electricity or water bills for one month... VRT news
2020-04-01 Strengthening the public health system Vaccinations are taken up again... Government of Flanders
2020-03-31 International flights suspension Passenger flights are only allowed to operate between 7:00 and 21:00.... IATA travel centre
2020-03-26 Awareness campaigns General call for "responsible" behaviour: #IKREDLEVENS-campagne... Government of Flanders
2020-03-24 Closure of businesses and public services Hairdressers that were previously excluded from public service closure are now also affected by it... Government
2020-03-24 Strengthening the public health system A priority system established for the distribution of safety equipment... Federal Public Service for Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment
2020-03-24 Public services closure  Hairdressers that were previously excluded from public service closure are now also affected by it... Government
2020-03-24 General recommendations General warnings and recommendations around cyber-crime related to corona... Government
2020-03-22 Economic measures 50bn. EUR guarantee by national bank... National bank
2020-03-20 Strengthening the public health system Financial aid package of 1 billion for hospitals to cover loss of income and oustanding COVID-19 mea... Government
2020-03-20 Economic measures Coronavirus: launch of the second part of the Federal Plan for Social and Economic Protection: suppo... Government
2020-03-20 Border checks  Belgium temporarily reintroduced border controls.... IATA travel centre
2020-03-19 Economic measures One time premium of 4000 EUR for companies that need to close and then daily allowance... 1819 Brussels
2020-03-19 Economic measures Suspends the payment of the city tax for the first half of 2020. ... 1819 Brussels
2020-03-18 Border closure  Non-essential travel abroad is banned... Government
2020-03-18 Partial lockdown Police enforced general lock-down limiting the leaving of ones home only for emergencies, helping ot... Government
2020-03-18 General recommendations Recommendations to uphold social distancing measures in public transport emphasised (public transpor... Government
2020-03-18 Domestic travel restrictions Non-essential travels outside Belgium are prohibited. Measure set until 5th April. ... Government
2020-03-18 Emergency administrative structures activated or established Ministerial decree established additional emergency rights... OHCHR
2020-03-18 Limit public gatherings Gatherings and meetings prohibited... Government
2020-03-17 Closure of businesses and public services Ferry services to smaller islands suspended... Government of Flanders
2020-03-17 Changes in prison-related policies Visiting right in detention centres suspended... Global Detention Project
2020-03-17 Public services closure  Ferry services to smaller islands suspended... Government of Flanders
2020-03-14 Strengthening the public health system Only urgent consultations still conducted in health system... Government of Flanders
2020-03-13 Closure of businesses and public services All including cafeterias restaurants etc.... Government
2020-03-13 Schools closure  ... Government
2020-03-13 Public services closure  All including cafeterias restaurants etc.... Government
2020-03-13 Economic measures Temporary layoffs due to force majeure; Temporary layoffs for economic reasons; Payment plan for emp... Government
2020-03-12 Emergency administrative structures activated or established all decisions will be taken by a management cell composed of, among others, the Prime Minister, the ... Government
2020-03-12 Strengthening the public health system Medex suspended non-urgent medical appointments ... Government
2020-02-01 Awareness campaigns info-coronavirus webpage... Government
1970-01-01 Isolation and quarantine policies Care institutions and psychiatric units closed for visitors... VRT news
1970-01-01 Closure of businesses and public services Museums, sports facilities and recreational areas closed... Government of Flanders
1970-01-01 General recommendations To forgoe all non-essential trips abroad until 7th June... Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation
1970-01-01 Emergency administrative structures activated or established Administrative cell for contract tracing assigned... Government of Wallonia
1970-01-01 Economic measures The gas, electricity and water services may not be suspended, even if rent is not paid... VRT news
1970-01-01 Other public health measures enforced Care institutions and psychiatric units closed for visitors... VRT news
1970-01-01 Strengthening the public health system Centralized data gathering system to inform response by Sciensano ... Government
1970-01-01 Economic measures Corona nuisance premium of 4000 EUR for a small company that has to close or limit their business du... Government of Flanders
1970-01-01 Other public health measures enforced Homeless shelters kept open from winter period, if they do not present additional health risks... Government of Flanders
1970-01-01 Schools closure  Extension until 3rd May... Government of Flanders
1970-01-01 Amendments to funeral and burial regulations Funerals and cremations in an intimate circle are allowed, with a maximum of 15 persons and subject ... Government of Flanders
1970-01-01 Public services closure  Museums, sports facilities and recreational areas closed... Government of Flanders
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