With daily infections continuing to drop in Belgium, there is a sense that the tide might finally be turning with the Omicron wave receding. The country's Consultative Committee will meet this Friday to discuss possible relaxations and perhaps a transition from the barometer's red phase to orange.
This would allow measures to be relaxed in a number of areas, not least the hospitality and culture sectors that could at last see a return to something resembling normality. The move to orange would remove the imposed midnight closing hour, allowing bars and restaurants to do business into the small hours.
And for those who have been waiting to bust some moves, nightclubs would be able to once again open doors to party-goers – something that has already been allowed in France, Ireland, England, Denmark and Spain. Some late-night revellers simply couldn't wait for measures to ease and the patience of many in the sector has been stretched to breaking point.
In fact, club owners have issued an ultimatum of sorts, stating their intention to open on 18 February regardless of whether rules make allowance for this. And though there is no list of venues that plan to take matters into their own hands (for fairly obvious reasons), the general urge to disregard mandated measures is becoming evermore widespread.
Which is unfortunate given the whole point of the barometer was to unify the country behind whichever measures are taken. As the question of vaccines and the covid pass continue to prove divisive, an orderly transition to less severe restrictions might be the only way to release public pressure and restore faith in Belgium's long Covid campaign.
Are you itching for a return to nightlife? Let @Orlando_tbt know.
BUT WAIT, one last thing: Want news from The Brussels Times in your inbox every morning? Sign up for The Recap, a free daily newsletter containing all the top stories from the day before. Perfect with your morning coffee.
Belgium in Brief is a free daily roundup of the top stories to get you through your lunch break conversations. To receive it straight to your inbox every day, sign up below:
1. Belgium could switch to ‘code orange’ next Friday, says Vandenbroucke
Belgium will likely be able to switch to ‘code orange’ on the coronavirus barometer on Friday 18 February, said Federal Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke on Wednesday morning. Read more.
2. ‘Enough is enough’: Clubs to reopen on February 18, with or without permission
The Flemish, Walloon and Brussels clubs and event venues have jointly decided to reopen at normal times starting February 18. Read more.
3. Defending democracy top priority for Europeans
As Russian troops amass along the Ukrainian border, raising war concerns on the European Union’s eastern flank, a survey of EU residents found that defending democracy is the organisation’s priority. Read more.
4. Opel recalls 570,000 Insignias due to rust on tie rods
German car manufacturer Opel is recalling 570,000 cars of its Insignia model worldwide due to a risk of rust on the rear axle tie rods, it said Tuesday. Read more.
5. Still no clarity on permission for ‘Freedom Convoy’ in Brussels
The ‘Freedom Convoy’ of truck drivers occupying the Canadian capital in protest of coronavirus-related restrictions is inspiring similar actions across the world, with calls for a European version in Brussels. Read more.
6. Bolt ridesharing service arrives in Brussels
Residents and visitors of Brussels can now order rides from both LVC (VVB) and taxi drivers using the Bolt app, in what the Estonian mobility company is touting as a solution to the ongoing dispute between traditional cab drivers and apps like their own and Uber. Read more.
7. Hidden Belgium: La Grande Poste in Liege
The central post office in Liège was a sad sight for 20 years. Known as La Grande Poste, the Neo-Gothic building was completed at a time when Liège was one of the world’s great industrial cities. But the city went into steep decline in the 1970s when its steel works and coal mines shut down. And the 1901 post office was eventually abandoned. Read more.
