(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) BRUSSELS, Oct 30 (KUNA) -- Belgium Friday imposed strict lockdown measures to stop the rising infection, deaths and hospital admissions from the coronavirus.
The new measures will start on Sunday night, and remain in force until 13 December, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo announced in a press conference this evening.
"We are going back into a strict lockdown, which has only one purpose: to ensure that our healthcare system does not collapse," he said.
Non-essential shops will be closed. Picking up products remains possible. Non-medical professions requiring close contact, such as hairdressers and estheticians, will be shut down.
For education, the autumn school holidays will be extended even further: schools will remain closed until 15 November.
In higher education all lectures will be given by distance learning methods until the end of the year.
Receiving visitors at home is no longer allowed, with the exception of one close contact.
Restaurants in hotels will be forced to close as well. Hotel guests may only consume food in their rooms. From Tuesday 3 November all holiday parks will have to close.
Teleworking will be made mandatory. If that is not possible, face masks and social distance are obligatory.
Outdoor gatherings can take place with a maximum of four people, while respecting the social distance and wearing face masks.
The curfew currently in force will remain during the lockdown period. However Belgium's borders will not be closed. There will also not be a ban on non-essential travel.
"We know that the virus has a heavy economic cost. Many people have to stop their activities again. Know that the government will do everything it can to support you," said De Croo.
Total infections of coronavirus cases in Belgium Friday jumped to 392,258 with 23,921 new infections reported by Belgian health authorities.
138 more deaths from COVID-19 were reported in the last 24 hours, raising the total death toll to 11,308. (end)
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