About: Sophie Wilmes
Belgium expels 21 Russian diplomats, Netherlands another 17
Several European Union countries including Belgium, the Netherlands and Ireland on Tuesday (29 March) expelled dozens of Russian diplomats, some for alleged spying, in what the Irish prime minister said was a coordinated move.
Belgian King expresses ‘deepest regrets’ over Congo’s colonial past
Belgium's King Philippe expressed his "deepest regrets" on Tuesday (29 June) for the harm done during the Belgian colonial rule in the Democratic Republic of Congo, in the first such admission for his country, after last month's death of African American George Floyd rekindled the debate in Belgium about its colonial past.
Belgium to exit lockdown, return to ‘new normal’
Belgium is set to enter Phase 3 of deconfinement measures next week, with a reopening of hotels, bars and restaurants and eased tourism restrictions, the National Security Council (CNS) said on Wednesday (3 June).
Belgium to relax social distancing rules, open shops from next week
While stores can open as planned next week Monday, restrictions on social life will only be slowly relaxed, Belgium's National Security Council (CNS) said, giving green light to the second phase of deconfinement measures, known as 1B, on Tuesday (6 May).
Belgian government to relax lockdown measures in three phases, starting 4 May
Belgium is to begin a gradual deconfinement with an exit strategy to be rolled out with the key dates of 4, 11 and 18 May, as well as 8 June, the National Security Council (CNS) decided on Friday (24 April).
‘Irresponsibly’ leaked paper on Belgian lockdown phase-out sparks criticism
Belgian experts tasked with devising the country's lockdown exit strategy have proposed reopening some shops, partially relaxing some restrictions on gatherings and outdoor activities from 3 May and to resume school from 18 May, according to draft recommendations obtained by Le Soir.
Belgium extends COVID-19 lockdown until 3 May, but relaxes some measures
Belgium’s National Security Council (CNS) on Wednesday (15 April) extended the coronavirus containment measures by two weeks until 3 May. Despite a very slow decline in numbers, it is not yet clear when normality can being to return.
Belgium extends COVID-19 lockdown by two weeks until 19 April
Belgium's National Security Council (CNS) decided on Friday (27 March) to extend the coronavirus containment measures by two weeks until 19 April, after France applied the same time frame only hours earlier.
Belgian surgeons sound alarm over scarcity of masks, reagents and drugs
Two surgeons from the Hospital Saint-Pierre (ULB) in Brussels published a carte blanche to the attention of Belgian Prime Minister Sophie Wilmès over the weekend, sounding the alarm over the lack of medical and protective equipment to fight against the coronavirus. Wilmes responded with a letter of her own on Tuesday (24 March).
Belgium enters lockdown over coronavirus crisis until 5 April
Belgium declared a lockdown for the entire country over the coronavirus crisis from noon on Wednesday (18 March) until 5 April, following the example of several European countries, including neighbouring France, which took the same decision earlier this week.
Belgium struggles to bridge differences amid coronavirus crisis
In Belgium, the coronavirus pandemic has lead to a small political breakthrough on Sunday (15 March), as the main political parties agreed to grant the current caretaker government under Prime Minister Sophie Wilmes special powers for the next six months...
Belgium activates emergency measures to contain coronavirus outbreak
After a long meeting on Thursday (12 March) that stretched late into the evening, the Belgian National Security Council decided to take far-reaching measures to fight against the spreading coronavirus, installing a state of emergency over the entire country.