The Belgian Consultation Committee decided during a meeting Tuesday that the hotel and dining sectors will be allowed to offer indoor service again from June 9. On the same day, theaters and cinemas will open their doors and workers will begin a staggered return to the office, starting with one day a week.
All reopenings are contingent on two criteria: the decrease of the number of people in intensive care; and continued progress in the COVID-19 vaccination campaign.
“Thanks to the progress of the vaccination campaign, we are steering ourselves more and more towards a normal life,” said Prime Minister Alexander De Croo.
Indoor service in restaurants will be allowed until 10 p.m., with outdoor service extended until 11:30 p.m. Fairs, flea markets and other outdoor sales will also be allowed again from June 9. A long list of indoor attractions will open their doors the same day, including theaters, gyms, casinos, cinemas, saunas, jacuzzis, theme parks, playgrounds, tanning salons and bowling alleys. Events will be allowed to host up to 200 people indoors and 400 outdoors. Religious services will also be allowed to have more participants: up to 100 people indoors and 200 outdoors.
Indoor contacts will be increased from the current limit of two, and the bubble rule will be abolished, with Belgians allowed to invite up to four people to their homes without the requirement that these be the same four people each time.
The beginning of July will see the end of shopping restrictions, which are currently limited to two people from the same social bubble for a maximum of 30 minutes.
On August 13, large events for more than 5,000 people will be allowed again, with participants having to show proof of having received at least one vaccine dose or a negative test.