Public Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke has called on the hospitality, education, culture and business sectors to prepare a ventilation plan by September.
A fresh surge in Covid-19 infections after the summer holidays is "far from being ruled out," Vandenbroucke warned on Monday in an address to the House's Health Commission.
The number of Coronavirus patients admitted to hospital this week crossed the 2000-unit milestone, while overall daily infections and deaths are on the increase during what he dubs the seventh wave of the pandemic.
The progression curves have certainly marked a slowdown but, he cautioned, this should be seen as linked to the effect of the school holidays.
The start of the school year and the return to work after the long holidays both raise fears of a resurgence. "A new wave or a new variant that can hit us hard is far from being excluded. There is no reason to panic but to be careful," the Heatlh Minister explained.
In the eyes of Mr. Vandenbroucke, Belgium needs to prepare for Autumn. He recalled the launch of a new campaign to inject a booster dose of a vaccine in September, as well as the importance of a ventilation plan. Governments must also be ready to take action, added the federal minister.
The plan is expected to govern issues such as the wearing of a mask on public transport or the use of telecommuting.
