People walk past a sign reminding people of measures against the COVID-19 in the Grand Place in Brussels, Belgium, on Jan. 7, 2022. Belgium has seen a rapid increase in COVID-19 infections (up by 79 percent last week) and an increase in hospital admissions (up 20 percent). (Xinhua/Zheng Huansong)
BRUSSELS, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- Belgian kindergartens, primary and secondary schools will reopen fully on Jan. 10, said Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo on Thursday.
However, protective measures against coronavirus will continue to be enforced, including permanent ventilation in classrooms, obligatory masks from the age of six, and compliance with testing and quarantine measures.
The country's consultative committee on coronavirus also announced at its first meeting of 2022 on Thursday that all current measures to stop the rapid spread of the Omicron variant, which was causing a sharp increase in the number of infections in Belgium, will remain in place.
So far, 80 to 90 percent of new infections were due to the Omicron variant, Belgian virologist Steven Van Gucht said Thursday at a press conference.
According to the latest scientific data, the Omicron variant is three to four times more contagious, but may cause less serious symptoms.
This is reflected in a rapid increase in infections in Belgium (up by 79 percent last week) and an increase in hospital admissions (up 20 percent), while the occupancy rate of intensive care units continues to decline.
Belgium has so far recorded 2,179,710 infections and 28,429 deaths since the start of the pandemic. ■
Police officers stop a street artist gathering people together in the Grand Place in Brussels, Belgium, on Jan. 7, 2022. Belgium has seen a rapid increase in COVID-19 infections (up by 79 percent last week) and an increase in hospital admissions (up 20 percent). (Xinhua/Zheng Huansong)
People watch a street artist's performance in the Grand Place in Brussels, Belgium, on Jan. 7, 2022. Belgium has seen a rapid increase in COVID-19 infections (up by 79 percent last week) and an increase in hospital admissions (up 20 percent). (Xinhua/Zheng Huansong)
People walk past a sign reminding people of measures against the COVID-19 in the Grand Place in Brussels, Belgium, on Jan. 7, 2022. Belgium has seen a rapid increase in COVID-19 infections (up by 79 percent last week) and an increase in hospital admissions (up 20 percent). (Xinhua/Zheng Huansong)
People walk past a sign reminding people of measures against the COVID-19 in the Grand Place in Brussels, Belgium, on Jan. 7, 2022. Belgium has seen a rapid increase in COVID-19 infections (up by 79 percent last week) and an increase in hospital admissions (up 20 percent). (Xinhua/Zheng Huansong)
