Photo taken on March 14, 2020 shows the empty Saint-Hubert Royal Gallerie shopping street in Brussels, Belgium. Belgium reported on Friday 160 new COVID-19 infections, bringing the total number of infected people to 559, the Federal Public Service Health announced here at a press conference. The National Security Council (NSC) of Belgium, the crisis management body of COVID-19, had decided on Thursday evening to suspend classes in schools, to close cafes, bars, restaurants, and ban all sports, cultural and folklore activities. These measures are aimed at limiting social contacts as much as possible in order to avoid the spread of the epidemic. They will enter into force on March 14 and will have effect until April 3. (Xinhua/Zhang Cheng)
BRUSSELS, March 13 (Xinhua) -- Belgium reported on Friday 160 new COVID-19 infections, bringing the total number of infected people to 559, the Federal Public Service Health announced here at a press conference.
The National Security Council (NSC) of Belgium, the crisis management body of COVID-19, had decided on Thursday evening to suspend classes in schools, to close cafes, bars, restaurants, and ban all sports, cultural and folklore activities.
These measures are aimed at limiting social contacts as much as possible in order to avoid the spread of the epidemic. They will enter into force on March 14 and will have effect until April 3.
Complementary measures to those taken at the federal level to support efforts to contain the COVID-19 pandemic were also announced by the Walloon government on Thursday evening.
Thus, teleworking has been extended within the public administration. The Walloon government recommends limiting meetings and travel abroad. It insists on a "social distance" of at least 1 meter, as a precautionary principle.
Concerning public transport in Wallonia, the Walloon government recommends "giving priority to walking and cycling for short distances and, as far as possible, postponing journeys to avoid rush hours."
Despite all the measures taken, there is a daily increase in the number of cases of COVID-19 on the Belgian territory. This number is likely to increase in the coming days, said Belgian Prime Minister Sophie Wilmes.
Belgium thus far has 559 confirmed cases of coronavirus infection since the beginning of the epidemic, three deaths and only one patient had recovered completely.
Belgium's first coronavirus infection was one of the nine returnees from Wuhan, China. He had tested positive in early February in Belgium and was able to leave St. Peter's Hospital in Brussels on Feb. 15 after being placed in isolation and undergoing tests that proved negative.
Photo taken on March 14, 2020 shows a closed souvenir shop in Brussels, Belgium. Belgium reported on Friday 160 new COVID-19 infections, bringing the total number of infected people to 559, the Federal Public Service Health announced here at a press conference. The National Security Council (NSC) of Belgium, the crisis management body of COVID-19, had decided on Thursday evening to suspend classes in schools, to close cafes, bars, restaurants, and ban all sports, cultural and folklore activities. These measures are aimed at limiting social contacts as much as possible in order to avoid the spread of the epidemic. They will enter into force on March 14 and will have effect until April 3. (Xinhua/Zhang Cheng)
Photo taken on March 14, 2020 shows a closed bar in Brussels, Belgium. Belgium reported on Friday 160 new COVID-19 infections, bringing the total number of infected people to 559, the Federal Public Service Health announced here at a press conference. The National Security Council (NSC) of Belgium, the crisis management body of COVID-19, had decided on Thursday evening to suspend classes in schools, to close cafes, bars, restaurants, and ban all sports, cultural and folklore activities. These measures are aimed at limiting social contacts as much as possible in order to avoid the spread of the epidemic. They will enter into force on March 14 and will have effect until April 3. (Xinhua/Zhang Cheng)
The famous tourist attraction, St. Michael and St. Gudula Cathedral, is empty of tourists, in Brussels, Belgium, March 14, 2020. Belgium reported on Friday 160 new COVID-19 infections, bringing the total number of infected people to 559, the Federal Public Service Health announced here at a press conference. The National Security Council (NSC) of Belgium, the crisis management body of COVID-19, had decided on Thursday evening to suspend classes in schools, to close cafes, bars, restaurants, and ban all sports, cultural and folklore activities. These measures are aimed at limiting social contacts as much as possible in order to avoid the spread of the epidemic. They will enter into force on March 14 and will have effect until April 3. (Xinhua/Zhang Cheng)
Photo taken on March 14, 2020 shows a closed restaurant in Brussels, Belgium. Belgium reported on Friday 160 new COVID-19 infections, bringing the total number of infected people to 559, the Federal Public Service Health announced here at a press conference. The National Security Council (NSC) of Belgium, the crisis management body of COVID-19, had decided on Thursday evening to suspend classes in schools, to close cafes, bars, restaurants, and ban all sports, cultural and folklore activities. These measures are aimed at limiting social contacts as much as possible in order to avoid the spread of the epidemic. They will enter into force on March 14 and will have effect until April 3. (Xinhua/Zhang Cheng)
Photo taken on March 14, 2020 shows a closed restaurant in Brussels, Belgium. Belgium reported on Friday 160 new COVID-19 infections, bringing the total number of infected people to 559, the Federal Public Service Health announced here at a press conference. The National Security Council (NSC) of Belgium, the crisis management body of COVID-19, had decided on Thursday evening to suspend classes in schools, to close cafes, bars, restaurants, and ban all sports, cultural and folklore activities. These measures are aimed at limiting social contacts as much as possible in order to avoid the spread of the epidemic. They will enter into force on March 14 and will have effect until April 3. (Xinhua/Zhang Cheng)
People walk past a closed restaurant in Brussels, Belgium, March 14, 2020. Belgium reported on Friday 160 new COVID-19 infections, bringing the total number of infected people to 559, the Federal Public Service Health announced here at a press conference. The National Security Council (NSC) of Belgium, the crisis management body of COVID-19, had decided on Thursday evening to suspend classes in schools, to close cafes, bars, restaurants, and ban all sports, cultural and folklore activities. These measures are aimed at limiting social contacts as much as possible in order to avoid the spread of the epidemic. They will enter into force on March 14 and will have effect until April 3. (Xinhua/Zhang Cheng)
Photo taken on March 14, 2020 shows a closed ice cream shop in Brussels, Belgium. Belgium reported on Friday 160 new COVID-19 infections, bringing the total number of infected people to 559, the Federal Public Service Health announced here at a press conference. The National Security Council (NSC) of Belgium, the crisis management body of COVID-19, had decided on Thursday evening to suspend classes in schools, to close cafes, bars, restaurants, and ban all sports, cultural and folklore activities. These measures are aimed at limiting social contacts as much as possible in order to avoid the spread of the epidemic. They will enter into force on March 14 and will have effect until April 3. (Xinhua/Zhang Cheng)
