13 April 2021: Schools will not reopen fully next week…

13 April 2021: Between 3 and 9 April 3,485 new cases were reported each day on average, 19 percent less than the week before that. The number of people in hospital and on intensive care remains high. There are currently 3,048 patients with COVID-19 that are being cared for in hospitals. Of these 899 patients are on intensive care wards. Despite the four-week “Easter pause” implemented by the Government at the end of March, the coronavirus figures in Belgium have not dropped low enough for a full reopening of schools, according to the education sector. Therefore, as of next week pupils aged 15-18 will still only be able to physically attend school half-time, with half-time distance learning still in place. Kindergartens, primary schools, and the first grade of secondary education will be able to go to school full-time. Net-net, we’re back to the same situation as before the Easter holidays. On display today are the empty chalk circles on the St Peter’s Square. The circles were painted on the square to allow students to enjoy the spring sunshine safely and stick to the corona measure that restricts gatherings to only four people in the outdoors – Ghent, Belgium