New rules in Belgium to stop the spread of coronavirus

 

 

When we look around us we have the impression that there are a lot of folks who seem to come from another planet where they do not know that there is a dangerous virus going around this globe. They do not take any precautions to avoid the virus spreading further. In case much more people would have kept a distance and wearing mouth masks as well having had a vaccination, we would have already for a long time some more normal life. But now, because of so many not taking enough precautions, we have a yo-yo effect because the government does not want to listen enough to the medics but prefer to find a balance with the economic sector.

The government has set once more some rules to stop the spread of coronavirus.
They and we can only hope that more people shall come to see the seriousness of this disease and shall follow these rules. This way, you will avoid becoming ill or making others ill.
Thank you for following them.
Together we’ll stop the coronavirus.

Please remember:

 

Please note: Some cities and towns have stricter rules. For example, in cities where not enough people have been vaccinated, such as in Brussels. Check the website of the city or town.But generally you can say we have to respect the basic principles

• hygiene measures (e.g. washing hands, coughing and sneezing hygiene)
• we have to keep the distance rule = the safety distance of 1.5 m is the norm,
• outdoor activities should be prioritised wherever possible. Where necessary, indoor areas must be adequately ventilated;
• wear breath protection i.e. mouth mask worn correctly (nose and mouth completely covered): The mouth mask obligation has been further extended and is widely used from the age of 10. For example, you will also have to wear a mouth mask when moving around in the hospitality industry.
• Teleworking will again become compulsory for positions that lend themselves to it. If your boss does not wants to do it, try to convince him for keeping to this rule.
• The Covid Safe Ticket (CST) is extended to include a mouth mask requirement in the following sectors:
  • public events and private meetings with more than 50 persons inside or more than 100 persons outside,
  • catering industry, also when private meetings take place
  • theatres, concert halls, music halls, cabarets and other performing arts facilities, cultural centres and multi-purpose halls for cultural activities, indoor circuses, cinemas, museums and (indoor) amusement and theme parks.

Measures per region

• Flanders
• Wallonia. Consult the FAQ of Wallonia
• Brussels Capital Region
• German-speaking community

Journeys

In Belgium

• You are allowed to move around freely.
• If you are using public transport (bus, tram or train) and are you older than 12 years of age, wear a face mask covering your mouth and nose.

Travelling abroad

• Travel is permitted. More info on:
  • travelling abroad
  • travelling or returning to Belgium

Shops and catering industry

• All shops are open.
  • When you enter the store disinfect your hands first. Wear a face mask.
  • Do you own a shop? Read the guide by the FPS Economy.
• Markets are being organized.
• Night shops are open.
• Hairdressers and other non-medical contact professions, such as pedicure and beauty salons, are open. Wear a face mask.

Bars and restaurants

• Bars and restaurants are open.
• You need to have a Covid Safe Ticket. You can find your Covid Safe Ticket at www.covidsafe.be or via the CovidSafeBE app.
  • Do you own a bar or restaurant? Read the guide by the FPS Economy.

Sports and leisure

• Events or shows can be organized, for example theatre, professional sports competitions or concerts.
• Organized activities, such as sports clubs or associations, are allowed.
• Religious services are allowed.
• You can practice sports anywhere.
• Dance clubs and night bars are open

Caution:

• In some places you need to wear a face mask indoors. For example: in libraries, theater halls, concert halls, sports centers, etc.
• In some places you need a Covid Safe Ticket. For example: at large-scale events, in dance clubs and in fitness centers.
  • You can find your Covid Safe Ticket at www.covidsafe.be or via the CovidSafeBE app.
  • Do you have to show a Covid Safe Ticket? Then wearing a face mask is no longer mandatory.

The self and the other in times of insecurity

In these times of insecurity, we can see that lots of people are not sure about themselves and get lost.

Insecurity, primarily due to social and economic instability, but also exacerbated by a weakening of the perception of ethical principles makes man feeling very bad these days.

The perception of ethical principles that underpin the law and personal moral attitudes, which always give strength to the rules that govern society, have so much weakened or moral and ethical values have been placed in the cupboard and are way forgotten.

People should know even when churches may be closed, it are those institutions which can bring some light in the darkness. Modern thought has developed a reductive view of conscience, according to which there are no objective references in determining what has value and what is true; rather, each individual provides his own measure through his own intuitions and experiences, each possesses his own truth and his own morals. When each individual has and keeps to his or her own morals we shall come to see chaos.

People have forgotten that the Creator has provided a Guide for life. Whatever the situation may be, man should be able to find answers to his questions and find solutions for the crisis encountered. All those who feel depressed, feeling down by the present Corona situation, should know that when everybody would keep to the regulations prescribed by the government everybody would soon find it much easier to cope because it would not take such a long time as it has taken now.

Because there are so many people who do not know the Scriptures or have forgotten or abandoned the Gospel announcement, they no longer identify themselves in a community of brothers and sisters where agape love is the most important rule.

Many environments, even in traditionally Christian societies, are reluctant to open themselves to the word of faith and have placed the “Self” or “I” in the first place, giving not much place for protecting the other. today we can see a lot of people who pu their self interest at the beginning of their activity line. They are not concerned what their presence might do on a shopping street or in a shopping mall. One can wonder why they were not able to go online to buy the goods they so urgently do need to have.

Whilst a lot of worry circles around, many do not seem to worry about the effect of their presence on the streets or in the shops. Is it out of ignorance or out of selfishness that they are not concerned about taking more precaution measures to avoid spreading the coronavirus?

When one could place the “self” more aside and give more thought to the “other”, especcially to all those working in the health sector, for sure all the measures the goverment asks to follow would be so much easier to follow and would not feel as a limitation or restriction of our liberty.

So many people are complaining that they would be not able to celebrate Christmas. Why and how does it come they would not be able to have some sacred time together with their own household members? How does it come they can not make it cosy and pleasant for their own little bulb?

If they want to go to church, why can they not enjoy the virtual church service their church may be offering? Or is their church insisting, contrary to the governmental advice, to come together in the church building?

Each sensible person should know it is his or her duty to do everything to protect the other. Under duty of gratitude towards recognisance, each should muster the brotherly love to work for the good or welfare of the other and as such keep to the safety measurements.

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Read also:

1. Tinderbox for domestic violence
2. No time yet to relax the CoViD-19 restriction measures
3. Just to remember for the coming Winter holiday period
4. Challenges of the Post-Pandemic period
5. What ethical principles do we need in the Covid-19 pandemic?
6. Turning Your Home into a Sacred Space