Health Minister Maggie De Block (Open VLD) warned all Belgians with the surprising statement: "Stay in your room and throw someone with a snot nose outside. I mean it! ”. On the day that the country counts 16 new deaths from the corona virus, which brings the total number to 37, the borders are closed.
The Belgian borders have been closed to non-essential movements since 15 pm. This is evident from a press release by the Minister of the Interior Peter De Cream (CD&V). The Dutch are no longer allowed to travel to Belgium just like that because of the corona virus. Those who do not have to be there for their work risk heavy fines. Belgium closes the borders for non-essential entry and exit.
"In particular, tourist trips to Belgium will be banned and border controls will now apply," it says. "Any violation will be strictly sanctioned."
The National Crisis Center and the FPS Health have published the figures in a press conference. 837 people have now been hospitalized, an increase from 203 patients over the past 24 hours.
164 patients are on intensive care, 34 more than yesterday. 114 patients are ventilated, which is an increase of 26. In total, 2257 people are now infected with the virus in Belgium. 204 patients were released from the hospital.
The federal police and local police zones must perform entry and exit checks. It is also repeated that any move to second homes on Belgian territory is also prohibited.
Minister Pieter De Crem has 180.000 corona tests seized
On the order of Minister for the Interior & Security Pieter De Crem, the police and civil protection services seized about 180.000 corona tests yesterday at a company in Wallonia. In addition, the services had the raw materials required to produce tests sealed.
Minister De Crem was informed by the Federal Public Service of Public Health that there was a huge stock of COVID-19 tests and a stock of reagents within the company concerned. Minister De Crem then issued a decision to claim the stock.
“Our country is experiencing conditions that we have never experienced before. The Coronavirus affects all possible segments of the society around us. It is therefore my duty as Minister of the Interior & Security to do what is in the interest of the population of our country. This seizure is part of that, ”explains Minister De Crem.
The company that owned the tests will be reimbursed by the government for the seized products.
Also read: Taxi company in Brussels anticipates driver security
