Security & Questions - Belgium → East Belgium

1. Floods : closed paths

Due to the floods in East Belgium and their consequences (landslides, damage to nature and infrastructure,...), some zones and trails have to be temporarily closed. The following places are affected:

- Auel (Burg Reuland) : closure of the bridge over the Our. Please take the bypass road through the village. Routes concerned: Vennbahn cycling route, Ovelo route 11, Velotour network: junction nodes 55-75, hiking network: junction nodes 5-47.

- Ouren (Burg Reuland) : bypass route on the Stoneman Arduenna. Adapted GPX track available on site and with Stoneman-International.

- Trôs Marets (Malmedy) : Pleasure tour 04: The Canyon of the Trôs Marets: Due to the collapse of a bridge on the route, a diversion has been set up. The diversion extends the total length of the route from 5km to 7km. Start of the hiking exclusively at the Ferme Libert.

- Wesertalsperre (Eupen) : The west side of the Wesertalsperre is not accessible. Routes concerned: Velotour network: junction nodes 42 - 41 - 0 - 55, hiking network: junction nodes 39 - 58 - 25.

- Getztal (Eupen) : closure of the trails in this valley. Routes concerned: Pleasure tours 23 and 26, Ovelo routes 03 and 04, Velotour network: junction nodes 55 - 54 - 53, hiking network: junction nodes 25 - 36 - 96 - 39 - 65.

- Hilltal (Eupen) : closure of the trails in this valley. Routes concerned: Pleasure tours 23 and 26, Velotour network: junction nodes 57 - 68, hiking network: junction nodes 90 - 24 - 19 - 49 - 5 - 71 - 62 - 4 - 27 - 24.

- Steinbach & Eschbach (Eupen) - closure of the trails around these brooks. Routes concerned: Ovelo routes 02 & 03; hiking network: junctions nodes 38, 21, 87, 98, 93; Velotour network: junction nodes 46, 11, 28.

- Eupen Hütte - Schwarze Brücke : closure of the path. Routes concerned: Pleasure tours 23 and 26, Velotour network: junction nodes 58 - 57, hiking network: junction nodes 62 - 9 - 90.

- Malmedy: The hike MDY 17 "le beau val" : is not accessible
(Hike on the hiking map At the foot of the Fagnes)

These closures are also indicated in our hiking and cycling route.

2. Coronavirus : current regulations

Six golden rules must always be respected:

basic hygiene measures (e.g. washing hands, sneezing into the crook of the arm, etc.) remain essential.
outdoor activities are to be preferred if possible. Where necessary, rooms must be ventilated sufficiently.
additional precautions must be taken for persons belonging to a risk group.
A safety distance of 1.5 m is the norm. If the safety distance cannot be maintained, a mask must be worn.
it is essential that everyone limits their close contacts as much as possible.
outdoor gatherings are limited to a maximum of 10 people (not including children up to the age of 12 years incl.).

General measures:

Gatherings are again possible outside (in privat) without restrictions,
A household may receive 8 people inside at the same time, not including children up to 12 years of age.
There is currently no obligation to wear a mask in East Belgium on open public grounds, unless the distances cannot be respected and/or it is stated otherwise.

Entry into Belgium:

It is possible to enter Belgium.

Arrival from a green or orange zone:

No obligation to quarantine or test.

Arriving from a red zone:

Those with a digital corona certificate with full vaccination (+ 2 weeks), a recent negative PCR test (< 72 hours) or recovery certificate do not need to be quarantined.
Those who get tested immediately upon arrival (day 1 or day 2) do not have to go into quarantine. A negative PCR test is required for individuals 12 years of age and older. Children under the age of 12 are exempt from testing requirements.

Arrival from outside the European Union:

Those coming from outside the European Union must be fully vaccinated (+ 2 weeks) with a vaccine recognised by Europe and take a PCR test on the day of arrival. If the test is negative, this person does not need to be quarantined.

Arrival after staying in a very high risk area (“variants of concern”):

There is a ban on entry for non-Belgians who do not reside in Belgium and who have been in a very high-risk area at any time during the past 14 days. An exception is made for essential travel by transport staff and diplomats. They must undergo a 10-day mandatory quarantine with PCR testing on day 1 and day 7. The quarantine may only be interrupted for the purpose of the essential reason.

48H - Exception:

If you stay in Belgium for less than 48 hours, you do not have to be tested negative and do not have to fill in a PLF. However, some countries with mutant versions, e.g. England, India, ..., are exceptions.

Further important information on entry:

You must complete the Public Health Passenger Locator Form in the 48 hours before your arrival in Belgium. This form has to be completed by: all persons travelling to Belgium, except:
- If you stay in Belgium for less than 48 hours
- If you were abroad for less than 48 hours

Link electronic form PLF | Link paper version PLF

Once arrived, you'll receive instructions via SMS on further measures, i.e. quarantine and/or further testing.
Some tour operators/travel agencies require a negative PCR test when travelling (e.g. by plane), so please check with them beforehand.

Detailed information can be found at: https://www.info-coronavirus.be/en/travels/
The overview of the currently valid zoning by country (colour codes) can be found here.

Accommodation:

All types of accommodation are allowed to open.

Holiday apartments and holiday homes with a maximum capacity of less than 15 people may shelter 1 household plus eight persons, not including children up to 12 years.

Holiday apartments and holiday homes with a maximum capacity of more than 15 persons do not have to comply to a person limit anymore.
(Sanitary protocol to be observed)

Swimming pool and wellness area are open to guests. Access restrictions apply.

Horeca:

Catering establishments and pubs are allowed to reopen their terraces. The following conditions apply to this:

maximum of 8 persons per table (or persons from the same household),
at least 1.5 metres distance between the table or a plexiglass screen,
only seating at tables,
masks compulsory for staff and customers unless seated at table,
Service at the bar permitted,
Opening not allowed between 01:00 am and 05:00 am
Night shops may open until 01:00 am. (Exception petrol stations | 24/24)

Culture & Leisure:

Cultural, festive and recreational facilities (indoor and outdoor) are allowed to open.

Discotheques remain closed.

Events:

Indoors: a seated audience of no more than 100% of the CIRM capacity without exceeding 2,000 persons up to and including 29 July 2021 and without exceeding 3,000 persons from 30 July 2021, including children up to the age of 12 years.

Outdoors: an audience not exceeding 2,500 persons up to and including 29 July 2021 and not exceeding 5,000 persons from 30 July 2021, including children up to the age of 12 years.

From 13 August: Participants in major events must present a complete vaccination protection (+ 2 weeks) or a negative PCR test (less than 72 hours old). In addition, rapid antigen tests can be carried out on site. The maximum number of visitors is 75,000.

Wearing a mask and maintaining an appropriate safety distance are always mandatory for indoor and outdoor events. At indoor events, participants must always be seated. For outside events, masks are not required when seated.

> Details of the decisions: https://www.info-coronavirus.be/en/news/occ-2304/

> Latest information on travel advice are available here: https://diplomatie.belgium.be/en

> All information about restrictions on entry and exit at: https://reopen.europa.eu/en/map/BEL

> See the official information at: https://www.info-coronavirus.be/en/faq/

Safety during your holiday