Belgian residents currently in France are advised to avoid large gatherings and places with many people, according to the latest advice for France on the website of the Belgian Foreign Ministry.
Following the attack on a concert hall in the Russian capital Moscow in which 137 people were killed last week, the French Government raised its threat level. The attack in Russia was claimed by the terrorist organisation ISKP (Islamic State Khorasan Province), which had also tried to carry out attacks in France, said French President Emmanuel Macron.
"The highest threat level, called urgence attentat, applies to the whole of France. French authorities may declare specific measures in this context," says a statement on Belgium's, Foreign Affairs Ministry's website.
"Belgian residents in the country should be very vigilant, avoid large gatherings and places with a large number of people, and follow the directives of local authorities," it added.
The increased risks apply mainly in larger cities, according to the French Government. By switching to the highest threat level, the authorities can deploy more security measures to protect citizens – particularly in view of the Olympic Games taking place in Paris this summer.
'No reason' to raise threat level
In the meantime, Belgium's Interior Minister Annelies Verlinden (CD&V) stated that there is "no reason to raise the threat level in our country," based on current information from the Coordination Organ for Threat Analysis (OCAD). Currently, Belgium is at threat level 3, meaning an attack is "possible and probable."
An upscaling to level 4 (the highest level), however, would mean that the threat is "serious and very close" – which is not necessary, based on the intelligence currently available to OCAD, she stressed.
On Thursday night, terror group IS announced attacks worldwide. "It goes without saying that the services are closely monitoring the situation together with their foreign colleagues. The situation is continuously monitored," Verlinden said.
Earlier on Friday, the Netherlands also tightened its travel advice for France, adjusting it from 'green' to 'yellow' – meaning travel to France is possible, but travellers across the country should be extra vigilant.
