Belgium has reopened its internal borders but countries within the EU, the Schengen states and the UK are divided into three colour zones (red, orange and green zones [see here] and the Foreign Affairs website to determine if sanitary measures must be taken when arriving in Belgium.
Quarantine and a Covid-19 test are in principle:
- mandatory for travellers to Belgium from a red zone in the EU, the Schengen states or the UK;
- strongly recommended for travellers to Belgium from an orange zone;
- mandatory for travellers to Belgium from outside the EU, the Schengen states and the UK.
Quarantine is also the rule for essential travel (such as professional travel) from red zones. It is only possible to deviate from this if this quarantine would prevent the 'essential aspect' of the travel from continuing. Quarantine may only be lifted to fulfil the essential travel purpose (e.g. a meeting) and only to the extent that this activity cannot be postponed. During the activity, social distance and other protective measures should be scrupulously observed.
The 'Public Health Passenger Locator Form' allows travellers to be contacted if an infection is detected and to initiate contact tracing if necessary. This form must completed (electronically or in writing) for all travel to Belgium and must be presented before boarding if travelling with an organised transport carrier (airline, rail company, etc.). For travel to Belgium by other methods, the form must be completed for stays in Belgium of more than 48 hours and provided the traveller was outside Belgium for more than 48 hours before coming to Belgium.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.