From January 8, Chinese people will be allowed unlimited travel abroad, although the country is dealing with a huge wave of corona infections. That leads to unrest. The health authorities of the 27 EU countries met yesterday to discuss a joint approach, but that consultation has not yet led to concrete measures. Several countries such as Japan, South Korea and the US have already decided to require a negative corona test for Chinese tourists.
In Belgium, these measures are not currently under discussion, Minister of Health Frank Vandenbroucke (Vooruit) reported on Wednesday. That does not alter the fact that the government remains vigilant, the minister emphasized. He repeats that message today in ‘De Ochtend’ on Radio 1. Nevertheless, he will take steps to “be prepared”.
“A virus can always mutate, so I want to be careful and prepared. That is why I have asked the health experts of the Risk Management Group to meet on Monday and investigate whether it is realistic and useful to strengthen the follow-up on variants.”
Belgium could then decide on its own to test sick travelers after arrival, but “the question is whether that is realistic, useful and necessary”, Vandenbroucke emphasizes several times. According to him, such measures would be better taken at the European level.
Basic measures and booster shot
In addition, the Minister of Health once again calls for basic measures to be respected, such as washing hands, ventilating, not going to the end-of-year parties if you are sick and wearing a mouth mask if necessary. According to the minister, people over 50 who have not yet had a booster shot should also go to the pharmacy or GP as soon as possible to get one.