6 May 2020 Update from A Locked Down Ghent

Yesterday’s figures reflect the trend of the previous few days: 84 people were admitted to hospital with COVID-19, the total number of patients in hospitals is down to 3,082 and a further 97 deaths were reported. As of yesterday, the death toll tops 8,000. Today, the National Security Council is set to meet to go over the next stages of the plan to progressively take the country out of lockdown. The next key stage in the deconfinement strategy begins on 11 May, the day that has beenearmarked for the reopening of all shops. As the relaxing norms related to phase 1 of the deconfinement strategy is kicking in and traffic in the city is picking up my corona walks start feeling differently – Neuseplein, Ghent, Belgium.