Phase 4 of the phasing out will start on 1 July
The National Security Council, extended to include the ministers-president, reached an agreement to proceed with phase 4 of the phasing-out from 1 July, on the basis of the agreement of the GEES experts, who refers to the favourable evolution of the epidemiological situation. The six golden rules remain in force: compliance with hygiene measures; preferably organize activities in open air; taking extra precautions for people who are in high-risk groups; respecting safety distances; the…
Response to parliamentary questions (events sector and management of the crisis compared with other OECD countries)
Check against delivery Emergence from the crisis and the road ahead for the events sector Thank you, Mr Speaker. As I’ve said a number of times, easing the lockdown is an unprecedented, complex and gradual process that requires us to strike a balance between the desire and the need to return to normal life, on the one hand, and the requirements of the health situation, on the other. Unfortunately, because of their very nature, certain sectors cannot resume their activities…
New measures for the third part of the Federal Plan for Social and Economic Protection
The Inner Cabinet extended with the parties that support the Federal Government reached an agreement on Friday about a series of additional support measures related to the third part of the Federal Plan for Social and Economic Protection. As a reminder, a first set of measures was adopted on 6 June[1]. It was agreed at the time that an extension of this series of measures would be considered in a second phase. The newly agreed support measures can be divided into two categories. A first part…
Agreement of the Inner Cabinet + 10 on spending power support measures for Belgians and industries in difficulty
The Inner Cabinet, extended to include the 10 parties supporting the Federal Government, have adopted a series of measures from the third part of the Federal Plan for Social and Economic Protection. A first package contains measures already taken by the federal government, which will be extended. The most important measures are: temporary unemployment due to corona force majeure; the bridging right for the self-employed; and corona parental leave. These measures are extended until 31 August.…
Response to parliamentary questions
Check against delivery Meeting of the National Security Council on 3 June 2020 – support measures for the hospitality industry Thank you, Mr Speaker. Various sectors and industries are affected by the resumption in activity envisaged in phase 3 of the lockdown exit plan, chief among them the hospitality industry and the cultural and sports sectors. I’m not going to repeat here all the decisions set out yesterday, but I will focus on some specific details that have…
Start of Phase 3 of the phase-out plan starting on 8 June
Today, Wednesday, June 3, the National Security Council, extended to include the Ministers-President, approved the transition to Phase 3 of the phase-out plan starting on 8 June. As the daily reporting from the health authorities shows, the health indicators are encouraging. The experts have therefore given the green light to start this new phase. This implies a radical change in approach compared to the rules that have been in force so far. After all, from now on, freedom is the rule and what…
Response to parliamentary questions on the decisions of the National Security Council of 24 June
Check against delivery. Thank you, Mr. President, The positive trends in healthcare data do indeed allow us to move to phase 4 on 1 July, with the prospect of further easing. But it is always still possible that we will have to dial back measures. We must never forget this. Regarding the gatherings of large groups, because there were some questions about this. The gatherings we saw last weekend or a few weeks ago are not without consequences. Of course, there are many…
The third part of the Federal Plan for Social and Economic Protection is being prepared
The Inner Cabinet met this morning, Friday 29 May, to define the contours of the third part of the Federal Plan for Social and Economic Protection. As a reminder, the first two parts of this Plan were activated on 6 and 20 March and involved a series of measures to support employees, the self-employed and companies in difficulties. The aim of this third part is to continue and strengthen measures to support spending power, activity levels and employment in the coming months. The third part of…
Answers to parliamentary questions
Check against delivery. Economic recovery plan – Proposals from employers’ organisations Thank you, Mr. President, The economic impact of the crisis is considerable. As I said last week, at the beginning of April, the Planning Bureau and the National Bank of Belgium predicted a possible recession of -8% this year. It is likely that the actual recession in 2020 will be even worse. For 2021, the recovery will also be slow. However, a distinction must be made between,…