In the interest of public health, the Belgian Government took a series of additional measures on March 13 to slow down the spread of the coronavirus / COVID-19. These measures have been systematically relaxed since 4 May.

Which measures remain in force?

• Hygiene measures are essential (washing hands; sneezing or coughing in the elbow).
• Keep sufficient distance from each other (minimum 1.5 m).
• Wearing a mouth mask is mandatory in certain situations (see below).
• Major events, festivals, private and public gatherings remain prohibited until August 31st.
• The own services of the City of Ghent are limited to the essential and where possible, the services are provided by telephone or e-mail. Since June 15, it is possible to travel within the EU (+ United Kingdom, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Iceland and Norway). More information about this via Foreign Affairs.

Wearing a mouth mask is mandatory in the following matters:

• shops and malls
• movie theaters
• theater, concert and conference rooms
• auditoriums
• places of worship
• museums (and monuments)
• library
• public transport (including platform and station)

If you do not wear a face mask in these cases, you will be refused entry and you risk a sanction. Children under the age of 12 are not required to wear a mouth mask.

What does the relaxation mean for you as a visitor?

Hotels:
All hotels in Ghent have been open again since June 10. For more information about the safety regulations, please contact your hotel.

Other accommodations:
All other accommodations (holiday homes, holiday homes, camping sites, B & Bs, holiday parks, AirBnBs, hostels, youth accommodation centers…) have been reopened since 8 June. For more information about the safety regulations and opening hours, please contact your accommodation.

Businesses (food and non-food):

• restaurants, cafes and bars that offer seating have reopened since June 8. They must close at 1 am at the latest. There are a number of safety regulations that must be observed during a catering visit.
• nightclubs and discotheques (and other catering establishments that do not offer seats) will remain closed.

All shops are open again since 11 May.
All local markets have started again since May 18th.