A case of contamination with the Covid-19 (Coronavirus) virus has been detected in the prison of Mons, the prison administration said Thursday evening, confirming a report by Het Laatste Nieuws.
This is the first case in a Belgian prison, Belga reports.
An inmate tested positive for the virus, and was taken to hospital for treatment.
Staff who came into contact with the infected person are advised to consult a doctor. Other inmates will be tested if they develop symptoms.
Additional preventive measures will be taken in all prisons in the country from Monday onwards, the prison administration said. For example, prisoners will only be able to see one visitor at a time. Visits by children under 16 years of age will now be banned.
However, lawyers will still have access to their clients in prison, at least until further notice, according to the prison administration.
"We are monitoring the situation on a daily basis. Depending on how the situation develops, measures will be tightened or suspended."
The Brussels Times
