23 February 2021: No major relaxations are to be expected before May.

23 February 2021: The number of people testing positive is on the rise again. In the week to 19 February on average 2098 people tested positive each day in Belgium. The figure is up 13% on the week. Virologists haven’t got an oven ready explanation for the increase but are suggesting that the British mutation that is more contagious has an important role in the increase. Also, yesterday, the Belgian PM Alexander De Croo flanked by experts unveiled four models showing how the pandemic could evolve in the Belgian hospitals given the growing number of people who will be vaccinated and the progress of the British variant of coronavirus. The models show what could happen in the event of relaxations starting 1 March, 1 April or 1 May.  As may be expected the later relaxations kick in, the happier the situation our country will find itself in as far as the pandemic is concerned. I’m wondering what actions the government will take based on these models. One thing is clear, we should not expect bars and restaurants to re-open in the weeks to come – Berouw, Ghent, Belgium.