Phase 4 of lockdown de-escalation in Belgium begins on 1 July

The corona social bubble now increases to 15 people

On Wednesday 24 June, the National Security Council of Belgium agreed upon a new set of measures related to Covid-19. Тhe start of Phase 4 of the lockdown de-escalation of the country is set to begin on 1 July, informs the secretariat of Prime Minister Sophie Wilmès. The most important change is the extension of the so-called “social bubble” from 10 to 15 persons a week.

The corona bubble increases to 15 people

Next week, Belgium passes into a more advanced state of relaxing its anti-coronavirus measures. Most importantly, this means that the social contacts rule is extended from 10 to 15 persons. In other words, each week anyone is allowed to see up to 15 different persons, other than those from his household.

Group activities, too, cannot exceed this number, children included. This applies to all unsupervised meetings, regardless of whether they take place at home or not.

New facilities open in Belgium

As of 1^st July, it will be possible to open certain establishments respecting strict hygiene standards. This applies to:

• Swimming pools and wellness centres;
• Amusement parks and indoor playgrounds;
• Theatres and cinemas;
• Casinos and game rooms;
• Congress halls;
• Reception and party rooms with a maximum of 50 people;

Mass events and night activities (such as night clubs) cannot reopen at this stage, inform the authorities. However, under certain conditions organised events with an audience are possible:

For regular events organized in permanent structures such as theatres, cinemas, galleries, congress halls, protocols will be drawn up with the competent ministers and experts.

For one-off events in public spaces, an online tool will be available (matrix) on July 1 that will serve as a reference for local authorities in granting permits for these events. They will also boast a capacity limit, set at:

• 200 people indoors;
• 400 people outdoors.

As for the upcoming national holiday, Belgium's independence day on 21 July, the traditional military and civil parade will take on a different form, which will be made clear at a later date. All other existing rules to contain the virus remain in force, namely keeping a distance from each other, adhering to hygiene standards, protecting the most vulnerable and preferring outdoor activities, when possible.