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Belgium, the worst-hit country in Europe, imposes strict new coronavirus lockdown
Source: Washington Post
10/30/2020, 2:42:49 p.m.
Belgium, the worst-hit country in Europe, imposes strict new coronavirus lockdown
By Michael Birnbaum
Belgian authorities on Friday announced a six-week closure of nonessential businesses and tight limits on social contacts as the country tries to stave off caseloads that could fill hospitals to capacity within a week.
The lockdown capped a week that began with most European countries still trying to resist a return to springtime closures that devastated economies but helped avert an even worse health crisis. This time, Belgium and others are keeping schools open, though the new plan lengthens a holiday break that starts Monday.
“Our country finds itself in a situation of a health emergency,” Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said Friday. “This reinforced lockdown has a sole objective: to avoid the failure of our health-care system.”
The lockdown comes close to the strictness of one imposed in the spring, when Belgium had the highest death rate in Europe. Belgians can have only one visitor in their homes. Outside, they can gather with no more than three other people. Supermarkets will be allowed to sell only the essentials. Religious services are all but suspended. And a school holiday that starts Monday will be extended for two days, so that they close for two weeks as a firewall to slow the spread of the virus.
-snip-
Belgium, the worst-hit country in Europe, imposes strict new coronavirus lockdown
By Michael Birnbaum
Belgian authorities on Friday announced a six-week closure of nonessential businesses and tight limits on social contacts as the country tries to stave off caseloads that could fill hospitals to capacity within a week.
The lockdown capped a week that began with most European countries still trying to resist a return to springtime closures that devastated economies but helped avert an even worse health crisis. This time, Belgium and others are keeping schools open, though the new plan lengthens a holiday break that starts Monday.
“Our country finds itself in a situation of a health emergency,” Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said Friday. “This reinforced lockdown has a sole objective: to avoid the failure of our health-care system.”
The lockdown comes close to the strictness of one imposed in the spring, when Belgium had the highest death rate in Europe. Belgians can have only one visitor in their homes. Outside, they can gather with no more than three other people. Supermarkets will be allowed to sell only the essentials. Religious services are all but suspended. And a school holiday that starts Monday will be extended for two days, so that they close for two weeks as a firewall to slow the spread of the virus.
-snip-
Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/10/30/coronavirus-covid-live-updates-us/#link-ZHCZWXZCHNHBZALCXNTPE2QA64
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