After seven months of closure, Belgium on Saturday reopened its cafes and restaurants, gradually returning normal life. However, the authorities prevented more than four people from sitting around the same table, which did not prevent the increasing demand for cafes.
Wearing protective masks has become mandatory in government buildings and markets in Belgium, as Prime Minister Sophie Wilms announced Thursday, noting that tighter procedures come to counter the significant increase in the number of people infected with the Coronavirus.
The country recorded 184 new infections per day on average last week, an increase of 89 percent.
In light of this, it was decided that it is compulsory to wear protective masks in “any place where a large number of people gather” such as open markets, commercial streets and government buildings.
The wearing of a muzzle was already mandatory since July 11 in stores, cinemas, places of worship, museums and libraries.
Wilms issued the instructions as the plan to ease restrictions imposed to contain Covid-19 was postponed to next month, after increasing fears due to the registration of new infections in recent weeks and the increase in the number of injured referred to hospitals.