Will Belgium Security Council’s ‘Rule of 10’ Favour the Horeca Sector in Lockdown Phase 3?

Almost a week after Belgium’s Security Council announced a de-confinement plan under phase 3 of lockdown, the country’s hospitality sector seems to be hopeful of attracting customers. As per the new set of rules, all organised activities can restart (unless the resumption of their operations has been scheduled for a different stage of the lockdown). The HoReCa sector (hotel, restaurant and café sector) can partially resume activity.

In order to control the virus, the government is encouraging people to follow the ‘rule of 10’. As per this rule, each individual should limit close contact with up to 10 people per week besides his/her household. Even group meetings must be limited to a maximum of 10 people and kept preferably outdoors.

Belgium’s Security Council has stated that cafes, restaurants and bars must strictly follow all security and safety protocols while running operations. Since nightclubs will not be able to ensure safe distance between visitors, they can’t resume operations till at least the end of August. The Federal Public Economy Service has published a “guide for a safe restart of the HoReCa”. The guide states that “the preventive measures can be complemented at sectoral and/or enterprise level to take maximum account of the specific context so that the activities can be started in safe conditions”.

Performances with a public, including cinemas are likely to resume from 1st July. As for cultural activities, only those without an audience shall be allowed to resume.

The Phase 3 of de-escalation plan will offer some respite to travellers too. Belgium’s Security Council has decided to allow entry to travellers from the Schengen Area and the EU from June 15. The decision was announced on June 3 in a press release of the National Security Council. Although permissions have been granted, the press release clearly stated that “it is up to each country to decide whether to open its borders”. Further, it was mentioned, “To know the situation in the country of destination, it is, therefore, advisable to consult the website of the FPS Foreign Affairs. The conditions for travel outside of Europe have yet to be defined in light of the evolution of discussions at the European level”.

Short trips within Belgium will now be permitted from today. Considering the eased travel restrictions, hotels and cafes in Belgium might witness a boost in their revenues. Several cafes, which were earlier hubs of official meetings and friendly gatherings, are still sceptical about customer visits because of the government’s advice to prefer outdoor meetings. The coming days will gradually unfold how Belgium Security Council’s plan of de-escalation helps the sinking HoReCa sector as the confirmed Covid-19 cases touch 60,000.