Belgium

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) published on Friday a new COVID-19 risk assessment for the EU/EEA and UK. In the latest map on the transmission of the coronavirus, most EU countries are coloured red. “The continuing increases in COVID-19 infections across the EU/EEA pose a major threat to public health, with

Belgium’s coronavirus figures continue to rise “alarmingly” and will probably reach 20,000 new infections per day this week, health officials said during a press conference on Friday. “The infection figures are now doubling every nine days,” said virologist and interfederal Covid-19 spokesperson Steven Van Gucht. “On Monday, Belgium registered […]

Belgium’s French-speaking Walloon region has announced that it will be tightening the national curfew measures in efforts to clamp down on soaring coronavirus infections. From Saturday until 19 November all of Wallonia will be required to respect a curfew between 10:oo PM and 6:00 AM, Walloon Minister-President Elio Di Rupo announced on Friday evening.  […]

The Imec technological research centre and the University Hospital of Leuven are working on the development of a coronavirus test based on exhaled air that would deliver a result within five minutes, Imec and Flemish Innnovation Minister Hilde Crevits announced. The aim is to have a prototype ready for use in the summer of 2021,

Belgium’s Consultative Committee announced stricter measures on Friday, but did not announce a second lockdown because that would not be the smartest solution, according to Flemish Minister-President Jan Jambon “A lockdown would be the simplest solution, but the simplest measures are not always the smartest ones,” said Jambon, following the […]

Following the announcement of Belgium’s extra restrictions on Friday morning, some experts have welcomed the sense of urgency, but others fear that the new rules will not be enough. The Consultative Committee’s additional measures for sports, culture, youth movements and higher education are in line with last week’s rules to keep groups of people apart

The European Parliament rejected a proposal to ban designations such as ‘burger’, ‘steak’ or ‘sausage’ for vegetarian products on Friday. The European Parliament’s Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development had proposed reserving terms such as “burger” for food products containing animal meat. The designations could then no longer be […]

An epidemiologist in Brussels is seeking to enlist social media influencers to help spread awareness about the dire coronavirus situation in Belgium. In an urgent plea on Twitter, Marius Gilbert an epidemiologist at the Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), called on influencers to use their platforms to raise awareness and keep hospitals from collapse. […]

The Belgian Red Cross is looking for plasma donors, inter-federal spokesman Yves Van Laethem said on Friday at a Crisis Centre press briefing. In addition to the usual criteria to be able to make such a donation, potential donors must also have recovered from Covid-19. The plasma collected is being used for two Belgian studies,

A demonstration in Brussels aiming to denounce a “Covid dictatorship” and the latest round of restrictions to halt the spread of the coronavirus and planned for this weekend will not be allowed to go forward. The demonstration is organised by a group going by the name of Black Sheep Belgium who has called on Belgians

Country moves closer to national shutdown as PM vows to protect health systemCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageBelgium has inched closer to a second national lockdown with new “harsh measures” as all non-urgent surgeries were suspended for a month from Monday to give hospitals breathing space in the face of spiralling […]

Despite warnings from experts, new rules don't amount to a full lockdown.

Political activity in a pandemic, transatlantic turbulence, the EU’s farming future and what the hospitality industry wants from politicians to weather the coronavirus crisis are all up for debate in this episode of EU Confidential. POLITICO’s Andrew Gray, Rym Momtaz and Matthew Karnitschnig ask whether politics as usual is possible in a pandemic, as […]

Czech PM apologises for bringing back tough measures; Poland and Croatia set daily records Coronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageEuropean politicians and experts charged with combating the coronavirus pandemic are raising the alarm that nations across the continent are on the brink of an “out-of-control” resurgence of the […]

The country is now the second-worst hit in Europe.

Sophie Wilmès, 45, who tested positive for virus on Saturday, is said to be stable and consciousCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageBelgium’s deputy prime minister, Sophie Wilmès, who had led the country until last month, has been taken into intensive care after testing positive for coronavirus.A spokesman said Wilmès, 45, was […]

Being Black in Flanders is not a disadvantage. Believing otherwise is self-defeating.

Her spokesperson said her condition was stable.

Finding ways to recycle cleanly is crucial for the EU's environmental plans.

This blog is now closed. We’ve launched a new blog at the link below: Coronavirus news – live 11.34pm BST We’ve launched a new blog at the link below – head there for the latest: Related: Coronavirus live news: CDC finds 300,000 excess deaths in US; Spain nears 1m cases 11.34pm BST Here’s a quick recap of the latest developments: 11.05pm BST The […]

Commission president left summit after colleague tested positive for COVID-19 but didn't disclose she'd gone to Germany.

The country's health minister has warned of a 'tsunami' of new cases.

Close US engagement with Berlin will be questioned whoever wins the presidential election.

Council says it received no formal notification of cases but Austria says Brussels was told.

Actor known for his martial arts action films intervenes in Norway-Bulgaria tussleAction movie star Jean-Claude Van Damme has come to the rescue of a three-month-old chihuahua, saving her from euthanasia after a legal tussle between Norway and Bulgaria.The dog named Raya was sold to new owners in Norway in September but officials there would not register […]