News Update for UN staff in

Prepared by UNRIC, 30 March 2020

The National Security Council has extended measures against the spread of the new coronavirus by at least two weeks. If there is no decrease in the number of hospital admissions by then, the measures will remain in force until 3 May. (De Standaard) https://www.info-coronavirus.be/ 1702 new cases were reported on Saturday, March 28. Of these, 906 live in , 691 in Wallonia and 85 in . There is no information about the whereabouts of the other 20 cases. This brings the total number of confirmed infected persons to 10 836. Furthermore, the situation is as follows: - In hospitals, a total of 4138 patients were admitted. That is an increase of 629 patients in one day. - Intensive care houses 867 patients in total, an increase of 78 patients in the past 24 hours. - 1359 patients have been discharged from the hospital and declared cured since March 15, an increase of 296 in the past 24 hours. - A total of 431 deaths were reported, an increase from 78 over the past 24 hours.

The number of confirmed infected persons in Belgium is still increasing and will continue to increase in the coming days. The number of hospitalisations will also continue to rise for the time being.

Health - Hospitals face a week of truth. The forecasts are good. "But it will be tense." (De Standaard). Generalist practitioners and specialists fear the arrival of a second wave of patients caused by Covid patients discharged from the hospital and citizens victims of the postponement of care. () - UZ Leuven has rejected more than 3,000 mouth masks from China for being unsafe. () - Since Monday last week, all patients admitted to UZ Brussel Hospital for more than a day have been tested for coronavirus. In the past two weeks, 164 patients have been tested, 8% of whom are Covid-19 positive. (RTBF) - A delivery of several million masks was cancelled because of a supplier who changed the terms of the order after the order was placed. In addition, he suddenly demanded a deposit when it had been agreed that payment would be made after the masks had been delivered. (Le Soir) - The death of 30-year-old nurse moves the sector. The first death of a colleague increases the sector's fear and anger over the lack of protective equipment. (Le Soir) - In Brussels, women are slightly more affected by the virus than men, at 51.6% against 48%. However, in the younger age groups, women are represented in larger numbers. (BX1) - A Brussels 3D printing company creates face protection masks (BX1) - CHU Saint-Pierre opens new intensive care unit thanks to donations (BX1)

What virologists say - Visiting your non-resident partner or loved one is not considered as essential travel and is therefore prohibited. Minister of Health Maggie De Block disagrees. (VRT)

Government statements - There will be an additional package of support measures on top of the 4,000 euros for companies such as restaurants and cafés Flemish Minister of Economy Hilde Crevits promised. For example, to mitigate the loss of income in event industry. (De Standaard) - Federal Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Alexander De Croo is open to encourage work with a bonus, e.g. in healthcare. (De Standaard) - First schools will open again, then we will stop working from home and then bars and restaurants will open. This is how Minister of Economy Muylle (CD&V) sees the return to normal life. "We must therefore provide the catering industry with maximum support." (De Morgen) - To avoid contagion in nursing homes, Christie Morreale, Walloon Minister for Health and Social Action requested nursing homes do not accept residents without being tested who have returned from the hospital. (RTBF) - An interdepartmental working group on violence against women will meet on April 2 according to the Brussels Secretary of State in charge of Equal Opportunities, Nawal Ben Hamou (PS). (RTBF) - Minister Philippe De Backer, in charge of the Digital Agenda and the Protection of Privacy analysed data from telecommunications operators: Belgians stay at home for 79% of the time (within the limits of their postal code). (RTBF)

Education - Prime Minister Sophie Wilmès has emphasised that the care of children should also continue during the Easter holidays as is currently the case. (De Standaard)

Economy - National Bank Governor Pierre Wunsch wants Belgians to continue working as much as possible to mitigate the impact on the economy. (De Morgen) - West Flanders tourism sector estimates loss in the spring of 2020 at EUR 750 million. (De Standaard) - Horeca Flanders estimates that the Belgian catering industry will suffer a loss of EUR 1.7 billion throughout the crisis period, more than after the terrorist attacks in Brussels in 2016. (De Standaard) - No agreement was reached between Comeos (Belgian trade and services federation) and supermarket unions on days off, bonus etc. (RTBF) - Belgian print media are suffering, but they resist (RTBF)

Police & controls - The Brussels North police victim assistance (Schaerbeek, Evere and Saint-Josse-ten- Noode) is contacting those who have filed complaints over the past three months for domestic violence in order to inquire about the evolution of their situation during confinement. (BX1) - Ghent police and mayor are angry at crowds in parks and squares who do not comply with the rules regarding corona. (De Standaard) - Antwerp police seal off two cafes that remained open (De Standaard)

Travel & transport - About 20,000 Belgians are still stuck abroad. In recent days, Belgians have returned from Mali, Vietnam, the Philippines and Haiti. Travellers from Asia will be able to return home this week. (VRT) - The socialist railway union asks SNCB to temporarily close all counters. (De Standaard) - Thalys will adjust its offer from Tuesday with only one return trip between Paris and Brussels, and one between Brussels and Amsterdam. The number of available places will also be limited to keep sufficient space between travellers. Transport companies ICE and Eurostar previously also adapted their schedule. (De Standaard) - STIB service will be reserved for essential trips during the weekend. (RTBF) - The British shipping company P&O Ferries no longer carries passengers on the Zeebrugge-Hull and Calais-Dover lines. It now wants to focus on maintaining freight flows between the British Isles and the European continent. (RTBF) - Brussels Airport: passengers from Italy, Spain and Greece are now monitored more drastically. (BX1)

Other - Tension in prisons increases: three unions have already submitted a notice of strike. (De Standaard) - Belgian supermarkets donate 460,000 meals to food banks. (RTBF) - Bruxelles-Propreté: blue bags cannot be collected on Monday due to an exceptional shortage of staff. (BX1) - Food aid: a federal subsidy of 3 million euros will go to the CPAS (public centres for social action) (BX1) - The 20 km of Brussels are postponed to autumn (BX1) - The King Baudouin Foundation creates a fund for hospitals and healthcare establishments (BX1) - The Millennium film festival is postponed but offers documentaries to watch online (BX1)