INFORMATION LETTER CORONA VIRUS – COVID 19 Herenthout, November 10th 2020 Dear Citizens, In the swell of this second corona wave we give you once again a summary of the measures in place and a few current initiatives. Although the first cautiously positive messages from healthcare are seeping in again, there is still a long way to go. If earlier relaxations taught politicians something, it hopefully is that releasing the reins to fast is disastrous for the number of infections. Sustained discipline is needed. Meanwhile Herenthout and a few other municipalities put their shoulders under a physical triage center on the Teunenberg site at Olen. It is the intention to increase the testing capacity in our region as much as possible, to support the family doctors additionally and to create a sustainable and efficient intermunicipal cooperation till the end of this health crisis. This way we monitor the meandering banks of this infection stream and prevent regional dike breaches in the number of infections or healthcare. But alas the physical medical care isn’t the only thing we have to pay attention to. In the messages that our services and I myself receive we notice that more and more people are struggling emotionally in this dark period of short days with long nights. Loneliness, suffering and silent grief are often nearer than we realize. Are you having a hard time? Do not hesitate to contact us. We as a community are ready for those of you who are having trouble of any kind. But also if you don’t have problems, I ask you to give extra attention to your environment. Try to help if you can or guide somebody to our services. Try to be a bright spot for those who experience difficulties. Once more in these dark days we must try to ban all darkness out of each head. Stijn RAEYMAEKERS Mayor

Stricter measures since November 2 The previously taken measures didn’t have the hoped results, namely the turnaround in the growing corona numbers. To assure our health system the consultation committee decided to announce a national, tightened lockdown during 6 weeks , from Monday November 2 until December 13. On December 1 there will be an intermediate evaluation. • We may have no visit at home except from your (close) hug contact. Each family member may have one close contact but there may only be one extra contact present at the same time. People who live alone may have a second contact, keeping in mind social distancing. • Outside you can see four people, respecting distance- and hygiene measures. • Non-essential stores must close but can have a pick-up spot. Home delivery is also possible. Buy local! Hoarding is not necessary. Grocery stores and supermarkets stay open. • Non-medical contact professions such as barbers, beauty salons and pedicures can’t open temporary.

Gemeente Herenthout Bouwelse Steenweg 8 | 2270 Herenthout | tel 014 50 21 21 [email protected] | www.herenthout.be

• The Autumn break will be 2 weeks, until November 15. From 16 November: o Primary school: 100 % contact teaching o Secondary school : max 50% in person teaching for the second and third grade. o Higher education: until the end of the year distance education, except for practices and for the first years students, from 1 December onwards they can have partial contact education. o Part-time arts education: may continue for all kids under 12 years. Older than 12 years, maximum 4 students can attend the lesson. • The curfew is maintained. You cannot leave your home from midnight until 5 am, unless for urgent business. • Animation and holiday resorts must close. • Bars and restaurants in hotels close. Hotels may stay open, but the meals must be served in the room. • Businesses can continue working but telework is obligated. • Funerals can happen with maximum 15 persons. Meals and receptions afterwards can no longer. • There is no prohibition on non-essential displacements. • The borders stay open. We know that the corona virus has asked though efforts from everyone. Nevertheless it stays of the most importance that we all continue to take our responsibility , certainly now that the numbers are especially high. Go on. Take care of yourself and especially of each other. Help to avoid that health care professionals have to make choices they wouldn’t like to make. Questions? On weekdays you can contact us between 9.00 am and 17.00 pm on the information number 0800 14 689

Limit your social contacts The main goal of the lockdown is to bring the number of social contacts as low as possible. The limitation of our social contacts is the most effective way to suppress the flare up of this virus. These contacts played an important part in the multiplication of the number of infections and hospital admissions in the past weeks. Limiting your social contacts doesn’t replace in any means existing good attitudes. Keep maintaining a distance of 1,5 meter from your fellow people and wear a face mask at busy places or where is mandated. Also stay home immediately if you are sick or have symptoms that could point to a covid-19- infection. Care for yourself, care for others, care for each other.

Infected by corona and in need of help? Call us. Getting infected by the corona virus has a big impact on your daily life. You must quarantine, you feel bad… but life goes on. When you need support, for example to run your errands, you can contact the Covid Coaching Team on 014 50 78 56. They will take care of your needs. For medical questions you best contact your family doctor.

Gemeente Herenthout Bouwelse Steenweg 8 | 2270 Herenthout | tel 014 50 21 21 [email protected] | www.herenthout.be

11 million reasons to hang on We are one team of 11 million Belgians and we need each other more than ever. Every Belgian has at least one good reason to keep following the rules: because you soon want to hug your grandma, because you won’t survive another summer without festivals, because you want to have a huge birthday party for family and friends, because you want to see your favorite soccer play for real again, because as a pub owner you miss your clients as much as they miss you… And you, why do you follow the rules? We invite you to share your personal reason on 11miljoenredenen.be (11 million reasons)

New cocid-19 testing center at former military site Teunenberg The family doctors circle starts a new cocid-19 testing center at the former military site Teunenberg at Olen. It is the intension to have a capacity of 350 tests a day ready by half November. The family doctor circle is initially setting up this center for the municipalities of Neteland ((, Herenthout, , Olen, ), Lille, , . Citizens from other municipalities are welcome too. At the Teunenberg site there are several old curve halls that were among others used as sports infrastructure or animation space. With some changes the accommodation can be used to test people on covid-19 in a swift way. The technical services of the municipalities involved are already busy to get the building and the associated infrastructure ready. It’s the intention to open the center still this week and then go to cruise speed very soon. In the start faze the center will be open 7/7 from 1 pm till 6 pm, depending on the demand for testing this can be adjusted. With this extra testing capacity they want to relief pressure on regions where is a lot of testing now and this way they are also prepared for what could become a busy winter time. The decision to create extra capacity was taken last week. It is an initiative from the family doctor circle and is supported by the involved municipalities and the hospital. How the center will operate is fine tuned in the next days. It is sure they will only work on appointment. This to prevent congestion. Patient will not be tested in their car. Cars stay on the parking lot. People must enter and exit the halls on foot by the indicated route.

What activities are still allowed during corona? The measures to contain the corona virus have an important but essential impact on our daily life. But there many things we can still do (keep doing). Are you looking for things to pass some time indoors or outdoors ? Here are a few suggestions! • Walk virtually through one of our beautiful Belgian museums: www.uitinvlaanderen.be/tip/6-virtuele-tours-musea • Make sure you keep moving! From Monday till Friday you can relax for 10 minutes between 12.50 pm and 1 pm. On Een TV Saartje Vandendriessche hosts “beweeg in je kot”. • Walk or jump on your bike! Nature is at its most beautiful with all the autumn colors. Follow one of the routes on our website or just start at your place and flip a coin every time you are at an intersection. Wondering where your trip will take you? • Do some chores in your garden and prepare it for winter.

Gemeente Herenthout Bouwelse Steenweg 8 | 2270 Herenthout | tel 014 50 21 21 [email protected] | www.herenthout.be

• Playgrounds and the skating park are still open, fun for young and (somewhat) old(er). • Our library is also still open. Since a few weeks you can also loan e-books. More information you can find on our website or in the “gemeentenieuws” that is distributed this week. • Try Geocaching. It is a worldwide treasure hunt that mixes the digital and the real world. Geocaching is a treasure hunt based on GPS. Coordinates and your GPS (or smartphone) put you on the right track. What you are looking for during Geocaching is always a mystery and that is exactly the fun of this beautiful outdoor sport. • Decorate your Christmas tree early this year and enjoy the Christmas spirit at home for an extra-long time.

Follow the communication media from our municipality for more information and updates.

Gemeente Herenthout Bouwelse Steenweg 8 | 2270 Herenthout | tel 014 50 21 21 [email protected] | www.herenthout.be