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25.01.2021 Covid-19 Update: New measures in Belgium The new ministerial decree containing more stringent measures comes into force from January 27, 2021 00:00. All non-essential travel is now prohibited. By "essential trip", it is meant that : - any travel carried out for professional reasons, by a person having a main residence in Belgium or in the European Union. - any travel carried out by transport staff, by a person having their main residence outside the European Union (including the United Kingdom). Sworn statement: In order to regulate essential travel, a justification is sought by the federal government, which requires a declaration of honor. Find this form online via this link The sworn declaration is compulsory regardless of the duration of the trip abroad. People traveling abroad regularly, such as border workers or truck drivers, however, only need to complete the Declaration of Honor once for a clearly defined activity. Passenger Locator Form: The rules concerning the Passenger Locator Form (https://travel.info-coronavirus.be/en/public-health-passenger-locator-form) remain unchanged. The overview of the rules is also shown below. Transport personnel remain exempt from quarantine and COVID testing when carrying out professional activities abroad. Drivers having their main residence in Belgium and making a business trip a) For a business trip of less than 48 hours - must be in possession of the duly completed declaration of honor - must not complete the Passenger Locator Form & the Business Travel Abroad form, - are exempt from quarantine and COVID testing b) For a business trip of more than 48 hours - must be in possession of the duly completed declaration of honor - must complete the Passenger Locator Form (https://travel.info-coronavirus.be/public-health-passenger-locator-form) & the Business Travel Abroad form (https://bta.belgium.be/fr). . - are exempt from quarantine and Covid testing Drivers with a main residence outside Belgium and who come to Belgium for a business trip a) Drivers coming to Belgium for less than 48 hours - must be in possession of the duly completed declaration of honor - do not have to complete the Passenger Locator Form & the Business Travel Abroad form - should not quarantine b) Drivers coming to Belgium for more than 48 hours - must be in possession of the duly completed declaration of honor - must complete the Passenger Locator Form (https://travel.info-coronavirus.be/public-health-passenger-locator-form) & the Business Travel Abroad form (https://bta.belgium.be/fr). - are exempt from quarantine and Covid testing. Source: FEBETRA
22.01.2021 From an EU Member State or Schengen Associated Country, may I enter this country without being subject to extraordinary restrictions?PARTIALLY Note: Belgium adopts its own national classification of risk areas, hence travel restrictions for Belgium are not based on the common "EU Traffic Lights" map. Restrictions for people coming (or returning) to Belgium from an EU Member State or Schengen Associated Country depend on whether they are returning from a red, orange, or green zone. Any person coming (or returning) to Belgium for at least 48 hours, after a stay of at least 48 hours in a red zone, must be placed in quarantine. The quarantine can only be terminated with a negative PCR test performed on the seventh day of quarantine. Travelers (from the age of 12) who are not resident in Belgium, must provide a negative PCR test before their travel if they come from a red zone. This test is also mandatory for passengers connecting via Belgium to a Schengen destination (including Switzerland, Norway, and Iceland). The negative test must have been carried out less than 72 hours before departure for Belgium. Residents of Belgium returning from a red zone after a stay of more than 48 hours must undergo a mandatory test on day 1 and day 7 of quarantine. There are exceptions in a few strictly limited cases. For more information, please check https://www.info-coronavirus.be For any questions regarding the Passenger Locator Form, the COVID-19 test, and the quarantine obligation in Belgium, travellers should check the website https://www.info-coronavirus.be or contact the FPS Public Health. Mandatory Travel Documentation All persons coming or returning to Belgium, or travelling through Belgium, must fill out a Passenger Locator Form in advance. A self-assessment tool is integrated into the Passenger Locator Form. There is an exception when the person is travelling by other means than plane or boat and staying less than 48 hours abroad or less than 48 hours in Belgium. This is a very strict exception that can be subject to control. Contact Point for Belgium If you have any questions regarding the Passenger Locator Form, the COVID-19 test, and the obligation of quarantine in Belgium, please check the website https://www.info-coronavirus.be and, if needed, contact the FPS Public Health on 0800 14 689 or send an e-mail to info.coronavirus@health.fgov.be What are the rules to enter this country from outside an EU Member State or Schengen Associated country?Travel from third countries remains prohibited with few exceptions. Essential travel to Belgium is allowed, while respecting restrictions (see question on quarantine). People coming from the countries on the list published on the Foreign Affairs website may travel to Belgium. TRANSIT All persons returning to Belgium and all persons travelling through Belgium by boat or by plane and who are staying at least 48 hours must fill out a Passenger Locator Form. All persons travelling through Belgium by carother means of transport and who are staying at least 48h in Belgium must fill out a Passenger Locator Form. General measuresWorking from home is compulsory where possible. There is a national curfew from midnight to 5.00. Local authorities have the flexibility and authority to adapt and restrict travel restrictions and non-essential activities in accordance with the epidemiological situation in their area. People going to work, coming home from work, or moving for assistance to a vulnerable person, are exempted. Health cover for temporary stays Use of facemasksFrom the age of 12, face masks (of any fabric) are mandatory in public transport (including at stops and stations), in shops and shopping malls, cinemas, theatres, concert and conference venues, auditoria, places of worship, museums, libraries, justice buildings, markets, flea markets and funfairs, public buildings for the parts accessible to the public, in catering establishments, in shopping streets, for close-contact professions and their customers. Wearing a mask remains strongly recommended in all other public places, and is mandatory when it is not possible to maintain a physical distancing of 1.5 metres. Local authorities may also take more restrictive measures. It is mandatory to wear a facemask in all outdoor and indoor public spaces in Brussels. Physical DistancingPhysical distancing of at least 1.5 meters is required, except for people living under the same roof, children under the age of 12, and for care takers. Each person can have close contact (less than 1.5 metres) with one person outside his/her household per one month. Per household, you can receive maximum one close contact at home. Single-households can have two close contacts per one month, but not at the same time. Find out more: diplomatie.belgium.be
14.12.2020 From an EU Member State or Schengen Associated Country, may I enter this country without being subject to extraordinary restrictions?Travelling from EU Member States + Schengen Associated countries is allowed. Before entering Belgium, check the latest information on travel advice (with particular reference to the different zones corresponding to the local COVID-19 situation) at diplomatie.belgium.be. The self-assessment test in the Passenger Locator Form (see below) indicates if you must go in quarantine for 7 days, plus 7 more days of hightened vigilance and if you must be tested. Mandatory Travel DocumentationAll persons returning to Belgium or travelling through Belgium, and who are staying at least 48 hours, must fill out a Passenger Locator Form. A self-assessment test is integrated in the Passenger Locator Form. In case of a positive self-assessment, quarantine and test are no longer necessary. Contact Point for BelgiumIf you have any questions regarding the Passenger Locator Form, the COVID-19 test and the obligation of quarantine in Belgium, please contact the FPS Public Health on 0800 14 689 or send an e-mail to info.coronavirus@health.fgov.be What are the rules to enter this country from outside an EU Member State or Schengen Associated country?All persons returning to Belgium and all persons travelling through Belgium and who are staying at least 48 hours must fill out a Passenger Locator Form. Travel from third countries remains prohibited with few exceptions. Essential travel to Belgium is allowed, while respecting restrictions (see question on quarantine). Transit Find out more: diplomatie.belgium.be Documents you need to travel in Europe
04.11.2020 Due to the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic, travellers returning from a red zone will no longer be under the obligation to be tested, until November 15, except in the case of obvious symptoms. However, depending on their answers to the self-assessment questionnaire attached to the Passenger Locator Form, they may be required to comply with a quarantine extended to 10 days. Source: https://diplomatie.belgium.be/en
28.10.2020 Entry RestrictionsTravelling from EU Member States + Schengen Associated countries is, in general, allowed. Before entering Belgium, check the latest information on travel advice (with particular reference to the different zones corresponding to the local COVID-19 situation) at diplomatie.belgium.be. A mandatory PCR test and 7 days quarantine are required upon arrival or return from zones considered most affected (high risk), while these measures are recommended when arriving from zones less affected. For the zones considered high risk, travel may not be possible or not authorised. Mandatory Travel DocumentationAll persons returning to Belgium or travelling through Belgium, and who are staying at least 48 hours, must fill out a Passenger Locator Form. Contact Point for BelgiumIf you have any questions regarding the Passenger Locator Form, the COVID-19 test and the quarantine obligation in Belgium, please contact the FPS Public Health on 0800 14 689 or send an e-mail to info.coronavirus@health.fgov.be TransitAll persons returning to Belgium and all persons travelling through Belgium and who are staying at least 48 hours must fill out a Passenger Locator Form. Travel to and from “third countries”Travel to and from “third countries” remains prohibited with few exceptions. Essential travel to and from Belgium is allowed, while respecting restrictions (see question on quarantine). List applicable as of October 28, 2020
Find out more:diplomatie.belgium.be
30.09.2020 Travel to and from “third countries” remains prohibited with few exceptions. Essential travel to and from Belgium is allowed, while respecting restrictions (see question on quarantine). For more information you can visit:
14.09.2020 Residents of countries from outside the EU and Schengen area or from a high risk area (“red zone”) as defined by the Belgian authorities at diplomatie.belgium.be may not enter the Belgian territory, except in specific cases. A mandatory PCR test and quarantine of 14 days are required upon arrival or return of Belgian nationals or residents in Belgium from outside the EU and Schengen area or from a high risk area ("red zone") located within the EU or Schengen area, as defined by the Belgian authorities at diplomatie.belgium.be (while they are recommended for "orange zones"). From 1/8/20, all persons returning to Belgium or travelling through Belgium, and who are staying at least 48 hours, must fill out a Passenger Locator Form. Local authorities have the flexibility and authority to adapt travel restrictions and non-essential activities in accordance with the epidemiological situation in their area. Before continuing your reading, please note:
Extract from https://diplomatie.belgium.be/en From Belgium Travel is possible: Austria: province of Carinthia France: Department of Creuze Italy: Regions of Piemonte, Aosta Valley, Abruzzo, Molise, Basilicata, Calabria, Sicily and Marche Liechtenstein Poland: Regions of West Pomeranian, Lubusz, Lower Silesian, Opole, Kuyavian-Pomeranian, Warmian-Masurian, Lódz, Swietokrzyskie, Lublin, Podlaskie, Greater Poland, Silesia, Mazovia, and the region of Warsaw Portugal : Region of the Center Sweden: Regions of Stockholm and Upper Norrland Switzerland : Cantons of Basel-Landschaft, Glarus, Schaffhausen, Appenzell Ausserrhoden, Appenzell Innerrhoden, Sankt-Gallen, Graubünden, Thurgau, Lucerne, Uri, Obwalden, Nidwalden and Ticino. Travel is possible under conditions: Cyprus (mandatory test) Estonia (quarantine) Germany (mandatory test or quarantine < Brussels-Capital Region) Greece (mandatory test) Iceland (mandatory test or quarantine) Ireland (quarantine) Italy (mandatory test only for Sardinia) Latvia (quarantine) Lithuania (mandatory test and quarantine) Netherlands (quarantine < city of Antwerp and Brussels-Capital Region) Norway (quarantine) Portugal (mandatory test only for the Azores and Madeira) Slovakia (quarantine) Slovenia (quarantine) United Kingdom (quarantine) Increased vigilance for: Austria: provinces of Upper Austria, Lower Austria, Vorarlberg, Salzburg, Burgenland, Styria and Tyrol Bulgaria Czech Republic: Regions of Northwest, Central Moravia and Moravia-Silesia Croatia: Zagreb (city and province); provinces of Bjelovar-Bilogora, Osijek-Baranja, Vukovar-Srijem, Karlovac, Sisak-Moslavina, Primorje-Gorski Kotar, Istria, Varaždin, Međimurje, Koprivnica-Križevci and Krapina-Zagorje. France: Departments of Aisne, Allier, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, Ardèche, Ardennes, Ariège, Aube, Aude, Bas-Rhin, Calvados, Cantal, Charente, Charente-Maritime, Cher, Corrèze, Côtes-d’Armor, Deux-Sèvres, Dordogne, Doubs, Drôme, Eure, Eure-et-Loir, Finistère, Haut-Rhin, Hautes-Alpes, Haute-Loire, Haute-Marne, Hautes-Pyrénées, Haute-Saône, Haute-Savoie, Haute-Vienne, Indre, Jura, Landes, Loir-et-Cher, Loire-Atlantique, Lot, Lot-et-Garonne, Lozère, Manche, Marne, Mayenne, Meurthe-et-Moselle, Meuse, Morbihan, Moselle, Nièvre, Oise, Orne, Saint Martin, Savoie, Somme, Saône-et-Loire, Tarn, Territoire de Belfort, Vendée, Vosges, Yonne Germany: Regions of Upper Bavaria, Lower Bavaria, Stuttgart, Karlsruhe, Middle Franconia, Swabia, Freiburg, Upper Palatinate, Upper Franconia, Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Braunschweig, Hanover, Weser-Ems. Greece Ireland: Eastern and Midland; Southern Ireland Italy: Regions of Veneto, Liguria, Lombardy, Campania, Sardinia, Emilia-Romagna, Tuscany, Puglia, Friuli-Venezia-Giulia, Umbria, Lazio and the Autonomous Provinces of Bolzano and Trento. Luxembourg Malta Netherlands: provinces of Groningen, North-Brabant, Utrecht, Limburg, Gelderland and Flevoland Norway: Regions of Oslo and Viken; Western Norway Poland: provinces of Lesser Poland, Subcarpathia, Pomerania Portugal: Lisbon metropolitan area, Northern Portugal, Algarve, Alentejo San Marino Slovakia Slovenia Spain: islands of Tenerife, El Hierro, La Gomera and La Palma Sweden: Middle East Sweden, Småland and islands, South Sweden, West Sweden, Middle North Sweden and Middle Norrland Switzerland: cantons of Valais, Jura, Aargau, Bern, Geneva, Solothurn, Neuchâtel, Basel-Stadt, Zürich, Schwyz and Zug United Kingdom: North East England, East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, London, Wales, Yorkshire and Humber, West Central Scotland, Southern Scotland, Northern Ireland Vatican Travel is not possible or not authorised: Andorra Austria: province of Vienna Croatia : Provinces of Split-Dalmatia, Brod-Posavina, Dubrovnik-Neretva, Požega-Slavonia, Virovitica-Podravina, Lika-Senj, Zadar and Šibenik-Knin Czech Republic: regions of Prague, Central Bohemia, Southwest, Northeast, Southeast Denmark Finland France: Ville de Paris ; Departments Ain, Alpes-Maritimes, Aveyron, Bouches-du-Rhône, Corse-du-Sud, Côte-d’Or, Essonne, Gard, Gers, Guadeloupe, French Guyana, Gironde, Haute-Corse, Haute-Garonne, Hauts-de-Seine, Hérault, d’Ille-et-Vilaine, d’Indre-et-Loire, Isère, Loire, Loiret, Maine-et-Loire, Martinique, de Mayotte, Nord, Pas-de-Calais, Puy-de-Dôme, Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Pyrénées-Orientales, Réunion, Rhône, Sarthe, de Seine-et-Marne, Seine-Maritime, Seine-Saint-Denis, de Tarn-et-Garonne, Val-d’Oise, Val-de-Marne, Var, Vaucluse, Vienne, Yvelines Hungary Monaco Netherlands: provinces of South-Holland, North-Holland Romania Spain except the islands of Tenerife El Hierro, La Gomera and La Palma Switzerland: cantons of Fribourg and Vaud United Kingdom: North West England Returning from abroad:From August, 1st, all persons returning to Belgium and all persons travelling through Belgium and who are staying at least 48 hours must fill out an identification form (Passenger Locator Form). You can find this form here (link is external). Mandatory quarantine (*) and test on return from: All countries outside the EU and Schengen Andorra Austria: province of Vienna (from 18/09 at 16.00) Croatia : provinces of Split-Dalmatia, Brod-Posavina, Zadar and Sibenik-Knin, Dubrovnik-Neretva and Požega-Slavonia. From 18/09 at 16.00, the following regions will be red zones: provinces of Virovitica-Podravina, Lika-Senj Czech Republic: Prague region From 18/09 at 16.00, the following regions will be red zones: Central Bohemia, Southwest, Northeast, Southeast France: Ville de Paris ; Departments of Ain, Alpes-Maritimes, Bouches-du-Rhône, Corse-du-Sud, Côte-d’Or, Essonne, Gard, Guadeloupe, Guyane française, Gironde, Haute-Corse, Haute-Garonne, Hauts-de-Seine, Hérault, Loiret, Martinique, Réunion, Rhône, Seine-et-Marne, Seine-Saint-Denis, Val-d’Oise, Val-de-Marne, Var, Vaucluse and Yvelines. From 18/09 at 16.00, the following regions will be red zones: Departments of Aveyron, Gers, Ille-et-Vilaine, Indre-et-Loire, Isère, Loire, Maine-et-Loire, Nord, Pas-de-Calais, Puy-de-Dôme, Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Pyrénées-Orientales, Sarthe, Seine-Maritime, Tarn-et-Garonne, Vienne. Hungary: Budapest (from 18/09 at 16.00) Monaco Netherlands: Provinces of South-Holland and North-Holland (from 18/09 at 16.00) Romania Spain except the islands of Tenerife, El Hierro, La Gomera and La Palma Switzerland: canton of Freiburg From 18/09 at 16.00, the following regions will be red zones: canton of Vaud United Kingdom: North West England (from 18/09 at 16.00) Quarantine (*) and test are recommended on return from: Austria: provinces of Upper Austria, Lower Austria, Vienna, Vorarlberg, Salzburg, Burgenland, Styria and Tyrol Bulgaria Croatia: Zagreb (city and province); provinces of Bjelovar-Bilogora, Virovitica-Podravina, Osijek-Baranja, Vukovar-Srijem, Karlovac, Sisak-Moslavina, Lika-Senj, Primorje-Gorski Kotar, Istria, Varaždin, Međimurje, Koprivnica-Križevci, Krapina-Zagorje Czech Republic: Regions of Central Bohemia, Southwest, Northwest, Northeast, Southeast; Central Moravia and Moravia-Silesia Denmark France: Departments of Aisne, Allier, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, Ardèche, des Ardennes, Ariège, Aube, Aude, Aveyron, Bas-Rhin, Calvados, Cantal, Charente, Charente-Maritime, Cher, Corrèze, Côtes-d’Armor, Deux-Sèvres, Dordogne, Doubs, Drôme, Eure, Eure-et-Loir, Finistère, Gers, Haut-Rhin, Hautes-Alpes, Haute-Loire, Haute-Marne, Hautes-Pyrénées, Haute-Saône, Haute-Savoie, Haute-Vienne, Ille-et-Vilaine, Indre, Indre-et-Loire, Isère, Jura, Landes, Loir-et-Cher, Loire, Loire-Atlantique, Lot, Lot-et-Garonne, Lozère, Maine-et-Loire, Manche, Marne, Mayenne, Mayotte, Meurthe-et-Moselle, Meuse, Morbihan, Moselle, Nièvre, Nord, Oise, Orne, Pas-de-Calais, Puy-de-Dôme, Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Pyrénées-Orientales, Saint Martin, Savoie, Seine-Maritime, Somme, Saône-et-Loire, Sarthe, Tarn, Tarn-et-Garonne, Territoire de Belfort, Vendée, Vienne, Vosges, and Yonne Germany: Regions of Upper Bavaria, Lower Bavaria, Stuttgart, Karlsruhe, Middle Franconia, Swabia, Freiburg, Upper Palatinate, Upper Franconia, Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Braunschweig, Hanover, Weser-Ems. Greece Hungary Ireland: Eastern and Midland; Southern Ireland Italy: Regions of Veneto, Liguria, Lombardy, Campania, Sardinia, Emilia-Romagna, Tuscany, Puglia, Friuli-Venezia-Giulia, Umbria, Lazio; Autonomous Provinces of Bolzano and Trento. Luxembourg Malta Netherlands: provinces of South-Holland, North-Holland, Groningen, North-Brabant, Utrecht, Limburg, Gelderland and Flevoland Norway: Regions of Oslo and Viken; Western NorwayPoland: provinces of Lesser Poland, Subcarpathia, Pomerania. Portugal: Lisbon metropolitan area, Northern Portugal, Algarve, Alentejo San Marino Slovakia Slovenia Spain: islands of Tenerife, El Hierro, La Gomera and La Palma Sweden: Middle East Sweden, Småland and islands, South Sweden, West Sweden, Middle North Sweden and Middle Norrland Switzerland: cantons of Vaud, Valais, Jura, Aargau, Bern, Geneva, Solothurn, Neuchâtel, Basel-Stadt, Zürich Schwyz and Zug United Kingdom: North East England, East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, London, Wales, North West England, Yorkshire and Humber, West Central Scotland, Southern Scotland and Northern Ireland Vatican No mandatory quarantine or medical visit necessary The other zones in the EU, Schengen and the United Kingdom
10.08.2020 Travelling to and from EU countries is, in general, allowed. Travellers to or from Belgium should check the latest information on travel advice available at diplomatie.belgium.be (updated daily at 16h) Travel to and from “third countries” remains prohibited with few exceptions. Essential travel to and from Belgium is allowed, while respecting restrictions (see question on quarantine). Rules and Exceptions Before entering or leaving Belgium, please check the latest information on travel advice (with particular reference to "red zones" and "orange zones") at diplomatie.belgium.be. From 1/8/20, all persons returning to Belgium and all persons travelling through Belgium and who are staying at least 48 hours must fill out a Passenger Locator Form. Check the travel advice by country Check the latest information on travel advice (with particular reference to "red zones" and "orange zones") at diplomatie.belgium.be. Source: https://reopen.europa.eu/en/map/BEL |
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17.04.2020 Protective equipment Despite the fact that procurement has increased and additional production has been o Selection system does not release the items of the annex of the Import The Belgian Customs Administration issued temporary measures to allow relief of VAT Disinfectants, sanitizers, etc. Pharmacists shall be allowed, as an exception and for a limited time, to store and use Measures for customs officers The minister of Internal Affairs and Safety has listed the Customs Administration as an 1. Measures aiming to Facilitate the Cross-border Movement of Relief and 1.1. Belgian Customs maintains presence and service at all points of entry 2. Measures aiming at Supporting the Economy and Sustaining Supply Chain Continuity 2.1. For the Customs Transit procedure, more flexibility has been allowed, respecting 3. Measures aiming at Protecting Customs administrations’ Staff 3.1. The Administration took severe measures for protection, based on the social 4. Measures aiming at Protecting Society 4.1. As a general rule, Belgian customs delivers every document, authorization or |
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20.03.2020 Belgian Customs Administration Corona Measures – best practices Protective equipment Export
Temporary and limited relaxation of the enforcement of driving and rest times for drivers Belgium has notified a temporary and limited relaxation of the enforcement of driving and rest times for the drivers involved in the supply chain relating to essential goods and medicine. This relaxation is granted pursuant to Article 14(2) of Regulation (EC) No 561/2006. Start date: 19.03.2020 End date: 31.03.2020 |
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19.02.2021 COVID-19 update: Revised measures for Foreign drivers in Belgium Foreign drivers no longer need to fill in the Business Travel Abroad-form. The Passenger Locator Form provides the option to tick the box ‘professional reasons without BTA’, which is sufficient for foreign drivers. Reminder: The Passenger Locator Form is only needed for stays with a duration over 48 hours. No other documents are required. Source: FEBETRA
12.02.2021 COVID-19 update: Transport workers exempted from filling the Sworn Statement The Federal government of Belgium has decided to exempt transport workers from the sworn statement from 13 February 2021. Transport documents now replace the declaration of honor and are therefore considered to be proof of business travel.
- must complete the Passenger Locator Form & the Business Travel Abroad Form - are exempt from quarantine and COVID testing
26.12.2020 Brexit – Belgium - temporary derogation of driving and rest time rules for transports on route to France and Belgian ports The Belgian government introduced a temporary relaxation of driving and rest time rules for transport on route to the French Channel ports and to Belgian ports in the framework of the end of the Brexit transition period on 1 January 2021. The derogations will enter into force on 28 December 2020 and will be in place until 26 January 2021. More detailed information on the applicable derogations can be found in the attached document.
Source: European Commission and Belgian Federal Government.
02.11.2020 Belgium has issued a lockdown as from today (2th of November). There are no restrictions for international goods transport. Two reminders:
Source: FEBETRA
19.10.2020 A ministerial decree regarding the new COVID-19 measures was published last night. As the transport and logistics sector is considered essential, it is exempt from the measures. A curfew will come into effect tonight. This means that between 00:00 and 05:00 it is forbidden to travel on public roads. Business travel can still take place, but it must be possible to justify it. Employers can draw up certificates or use the consignment note to justify essential travel. FEBETRA has drawn up certificates which be used to attest that drivers are making a trip that is a necessary part of their work (CP 226, CP 140.03 and CP 140.04). You can download them from the FEBETRA Corona Belgium Blog (https://febetra.be/belgique/). Companies in some sectors are obliged to keep a register of their foreign workers, but the transport and logistics sector is exempt. For more information, contact the information department (info@febetra.be). Source: FEBETRA
28.08.2020 Belgium is regularly updating its travel advice list. On 26 August 2020, countries were added to the red list, including Romania. Countries and areas on the red list are subject to a formal travel ban and persons returning to Belgium from these countries must undergo mandatory testing and quarantine. However, essential movements, including the transport of goods, are exempt from quarantine. See below information for truck drivers coming from red zones. 1) If a driver comes to Belgium as part of a professional journey (transporting goods): a. If he/she stays in Belgium for less than 48 hours, the Passenger Locator Form does not need to be completed. b. If he/she stays in Belgium for more than 48 hours, the Passenger Locator Form must be completed. In both cases, drivers are exempted from compulsory quarantine and testing, even if they come from a red zone. The text messages they receive on arrival to Belgium after filling in the Passenger Locator Form may be ignored. Therefore, if a driver transits through Belgium (which will almost always be less than 48 hours), he/she can pass freely, regardless of where he/she is coming from. 2) If a driver comes to Belgium after spending his/her free time abroad (e.g. a driver goes to Romania for a week to visit his/her family and comes back to work in Belgium), then the quarantine measures apply. a. Coming from a red zone, it is mandatory to spend two weeks in quarantine and to test for COVID-19. The test is free of charge. b. Coming from an orange zone, it is strongly recommended to go into quarantine and get tested. You will be charged for the test. More information can be found here. Source: FEBETRA
13.07.2020 On 13 July, the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs updated its travel advice list and included Sweden in the red list. Countries and areas included in the red list are subject to a formal travel ban and mandatory test and quarantine upon return in Belgium. Full details can be read here. Source: Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
26.06.2020 As of 15 June, Belgium has lifted border restrictions on all movements within the European Union, the Schengen Area and the United Kingdom, subject to a favourable epidemiological situation in Belgium and the countries concerned. Any person with Belgian nationality, with or without their main residence in Belgium, long-term residents in Belgium and persons with legal residence in Belgium, may always return to Belgium. The EU Member States and associated Schengen countries still temporarily ban all non-essential travel to and from so-called “third countries” in the EU+ area until 30 June 2020.These measures may be extended. The temporary travel restrictions do not apply to persons doing essential work or for compelling reasons, such as:
Phase 4 of the lockdown easing plan will start on 1 July, with no impact on transport operations. Source: Belgian Federal Government
15.04.2020 On 13 April, relaxations on driving and rest time rules in Belgium have been slightly adapted and limited. For drivers transporting essential goods (food supplies, medicines, medical equipment, fuel), the following applies: · Increase of the maximum weekly driving limit from 56 hours to 60 hours. · Increase of the maximum fortnightly driving limit from 90 hours to 96 hours. · Possibility to postpone a weekly rest period beyond seven-24 hour periods (instead of six). · Possibility to take 2 consecutive reduced weekly rest periods, provided that: a) the driver takes at least 4 weekly rests in 4 consecutive weeks, of which 2 are regular weekly rests; and b) compensation for a reduced weekly rest shall be taken before the end of the fourth week. For all other drivers, there is the possibility to take the regular weekly rest in the vehicle, provided that it has suitable sleeping facilities and is maintained. Such exemptions apply to national and international goods transport. Exemptions for both categories apply until 31 May. Source: FEBETRA
09.04.2020 Belgium has agreed to a temporary and limited relaxation of the enforcement of driving and rest times for all drivers of vehicles active in the transport of goods. This relaxation is granted pursuant to Article 14(2) of the EU Regulation 561⁄2006.This temporary relaxation applies from 26/03/2020 and will run until 25/04/2020. It will apply to those drivers involved in the delivery of goods, both domestically and internationally. The following provisions will be temporarily relaxed as follows: - derogation to the Article 8(8) of Regulation 561/2006: suspension of the ban on drivers spending their normal weekly rest period in the vehicle cabin. In addition to this, general derogation and specific derogations for essential transport have been put into place. Belgium has agreed to a temporary and limited relaxation of the enforcement of driving and rest times for all drivers of vehicles active in the complete supply chain for the transport of essential goods and medication. This relaxation is granted pursuant to Article 14(2) of the EU Regulation 561⁄2006. This temporary relaxation applies from 01/04/2020 and will run until 30/04/2020. It will apply to those drivers involved in the delivery of goods domestically and internationally. The following provisions will be temporarily relaxed as follows: - derogation to the Article 6(2) of Regulation 561/2006: replacement of the maximum weekly driving limit of 56 hours to 60 hours; - derogation to the Article 6(3) of Regulation 561/2006: replacement of the maximum fortnightly driving limit of 90 hours to 96 hours; - derogation to the Article 8(6) of Regulation 561/2006: postponement of a weekly rest period beyond six-24 hours period; - derogation to the Article 8(6): reduction of the regular weekly rest period from 45 hours to 24 hours without any compensation. Source: FEBETRA
23.03.2020 Employers' federations and trade unions in the Belgian road haulage sector and logistics service providers for third parties have made a joint call on all those involved to ensure, to the extent possible, the protection of all those in the haulage and logistics industry who are working during the COVID-19 pandemic. The call relates to stringently respecting all current measures in place regarding general hygiene, social distancing and the use of equipment at workplaces. The letter is available here. Source: FEBETRA
20.03.2020 For passenger transport, the social distance measure of 1.5m must be respected for all types of collective transport of passengers still operational and allowed, including public bus transport. In line with the advice regarding unnecessary journeys abroad, all coach services are in a lockdown phase. As schools have been closed, all related transport has been suspended, apart from schools requiring transport to respect their duty of day care for children from families working in key roles, such as health care workers. The professional training for driving licences or continuous education, and even MOT control have been suspended and appropriate measures are taken to waive the potential validity violations. Source: FBAA
19.03.2020 Restrictions The Belgian government took additional measures on 17 March 2020 introducing further measures to encourage teleworking and closing all non-essential stores (only pharmacies, food stores and newspaper stores remain open) to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Measures are valid until 5 April 2020. The objective is to limit public gathering. As far as public transport is concern, services function normally, but it is asked to limit journeys. These measures have no consequences for international freight transport and drivers. However, a number of companies have been forced to close because they are unable to respect the social distancing rules or are short of material to continue the production process. Relieves Minister of transport announced a temporary and complete tolerance concerning the enforcement of driving and resting times for drivers involved in the transportation of food, medication and other life essential goods to shops and pharmacies. This measure has been taken on the basis of article 14.2 of the EU Regulation 561 ⁄ 2006 and applies from 14 ⁄ 03 ⁄ 2020 at 00:01 until 31 ⁄ 03 ⁄ 2020 at 23:59. More detailed information is available here. Sources: FEBETRA and Official News Agencies |