24 April 2021: Spring has sprung but the corona treat is far from over…

24 April 2021: From 14 to 20 April, the number of people testing positive per day decreased by 4% to 3,600 from the 7-day average of the week before. On Thursday 22 April 2,989 patients were being cared for in hospitals. Of those in hospital 910 are on ICU units. The positivity rate and reproduction ratio stand respectively at 9.7% and 1.01. Despite these concerning figures and despite the fact that healthcare professionals are saying that they may have to send ICU patients abroad, the Belgian government announced yesterday a number of short and medium-term relaxations of the restrictions. Non-medical contact profession will re-open as of Monday and bars and restaurants will be able to reopen their outdoor facilities on Saturday 8 May. The government also confirmed an earlier decision to allow outdoor events for up to 200 people. Also, indoor events for up to 200 people will be allowed, providing that no more than 75% of the capacity of the concert hall, cultural centre or theatre is filled.The latter is conditional on at least 80% of all the members of vulnerable groups having been vaccinated and no more than 500 COVID-19 patients are on the country’s ICU wards. Whilst I’m bracing for the potential impact of these decisions, I’m trying to enjoy spring in Ghent – Bijloke, Ghent, Belgium