Since March 7 and the transition to code yellow, wearing a mask is no longer compulsory in public spaces. It is only in public transport and care establishments. But it is still highly recommended. In Molenbeek, mayor Catherine Moureaux (PS) has decided to go further and make the wearing of a mask compulsory again in certain streets of the town.
“Wearing a mask covering the nose and mouth is compulsory for people aged 12 or over traveling in the following arteries: rue de Ribaucourt, chaussée de Ninove, chaussée de Gand, parvis Saint-Jean-Baptiste; in the street where the Covid-19 communal screening center is located, in the street where the Covid-19 communal vaccination center is located, ”specifies the order. And these are not the only places. The ordinance also provides for the wearing of a mask compulsory for people aged 12 or over in all municipal markets, flea markets, jumble sales as well as in premises accessible to the public in municipal buildings.
“This solution is not very elegant”
The reason for this requirement? The number of contaminations which increased by 16% during the week of March 22 to 28 compared to the previous week in the Brussels region. But for Marc Van Ranst, this measure taken by the municipality is not very useful. “I don’t think it’s necessary,” explains the virologist to the Nieuwsblad. “It is true that there is an increase in this region. Brussels and Wallonia are a little behind Flanders, where the figures are already down slightly. But this solution is not very elegant. »
The virologist has always had doubts about wearing a mask in the open air. “Except in situations where there are a very large number of people close to each other. You will have more effect if you check the ventilation inside or ask for an extra mask. This seems to me more useful than a more symbolic outdoor mandatory mouth mask. The mayor may want to send a signal to the population: to pay attention. »