Belgium travel restrictions: Can I travel through Belgium and will I need to quarantine?
SINCE the Government removed Spain from its quarantine-free list of destinations, Brits have been cancelling their upcoming holidays.
From Saturday (August 8, 2020) the government will order all travellers from Belgium to self isolate as a precautionary measure against coronavirus.
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Is it safe to travel to Belgium?
Belgium has been added to the 14-day quarantine list after a rise in cases amid fears of a second wave in Europe.
The changes will come into effect from 4am on Saturday, August 8, 2020.
UK officials have removed the European nation, along with Andorra and the Bahamas, from the list of safe countries - meaning another devastating blow for Brits' summer holiday hopes.
It comes after Belgian Prime Minister Sophie Wilmes announced new social restrictions on July 29 after a spike in Covid-19 cases.
Speaking to the press she said people should again begin working from home where possible, saying she was "acting to keep the situation under control".
Meanwhile, the Foreign Office has advised against "all but essential travel" to Belgium.
Will I need to quarantine?
People travelling to and from the UK from Belgium will be forced to quarantine for two weeks in a bid to curb the spread of the virus.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps tweeted: "Data shows we need to remove Andorra, Belgium and The Bahamas from our list of #coronavirus Travel Corridors in order to keep infection rates DOWN.
“If you arrive in the UK after 0400 Saturday from these destinations, you will need to self-isolate for 14 days.”
People in England, Wales and Northern Ireland who do not follow the rules and self isolate could be liable for a fine of up to £1,000.
Those returning to Scotland could be fined £480.
In all nations, fines for persistent offenders could rise up to £5,000.
Belgium has also placed restrictions on people travelling from UK hotspots, such as Leicester, with a requirement to take a test and self-isolate.
The government website states that Belgium has a traffic light system and travellers entering Belgium from "orange" regions are recommended to take a test and self-isolate for 14 days.
The Midlands, North East England, Yorkshire, North West England, Northern Ireland and Wales are in the "orange" category as of August 7.
Is it safe to travel through Belgium?
Belgium is considered to be a thoroughfare to the rest of mainland Europe, especially with holidaymakers who travel by car to Europe, via Eurotunnel or Ferry services.
The changes to Belgium's trade corridor status will have a knock-on effect for people planning to head to other European destination.
Anyone travelling through Belgium - and not stopping in the country - will have to follow the 14-day self isolation.
This also includes transit stops such as Eurostar services from the continent to London, which offer passengers that chance to board or exit a train at Belgium stops such as Brussels Midi.
The government says: “You’ll still need to self-isolate if you’ve visited or made a ‘transit stop’ in the previous 14 days in any country that is not on the list.
“A ‘transit stop’ is a stop where passengers can get on or off a coach, ferry, train or plane.”
How many coronavirus cases have there been in Belgium?
Infection rates across Belgium remained low throughout June and the first half of July, but have begun to rise again over the last two weeks.
August 2 saw 528 cases diagnosed, the largest rise in a single day since May 9.
The country has seen a total of 66,662 cases and 9,822 deaths since the start of the pandemic.
With a population of only 11.5million, Belgium has the highest mortality rate per capita in the world, with 85 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants.
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This is followed by Britain with 68, Spain 61, Peru 61, and Italy 58.
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Belgium has seen more than 400 new cases every day since July 30 - up from lows of just 42 on July 7.
And on August 1 it saw a figure of 745, its highest total since April 26.