7 October 2020: Update on The Corona Pandemic - Belgium tightens measures: bubbles shrink, bars close early

7 October 2020: Update on The Corona Pandemic – The new Belgian federal government announced yesterday tighter measures to curb the spread of COVID-19. As of Friday, bars and cafés will have to close at 11pm and groups of no more than 4 per table will be permitted regardless of whether they are sitting inside or outside on a terrace or in a garden. Close social contacts will be limited to 3 people in addition to those with whom you share your home. In addition, you will only be allowed to invite 4 other personsinto your home provided that social distancing is upheld. Last, no more than 4 people will be able to congregate together on the streets or in a park. The announcement comes as the number of infections are continuing to rise and as we are facing steadily increasing numbers of hospitalizations and deaths. More than 2,300 new people per day tested positive for Covid-19 over the past week and 937 patients are currently in hospital. The new Prime Minister (Alexander De Croo) and the Minister of Health (Frank Vandenbroucke) did an excellent job in delivering the message; the new measures were announced in a clear and emphatic manner and, therefore, were well received by the majority of the population. Today’s picture is from yesterday’s corona walk and displays the Saint Bavo Cathedral from a less common viewpoint – Ghent, Belgium