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Belgium announces more reduction to lockdown measures

BRUSSELS, June 3 (KUNA) -- Belgian Prime Minister Sophie Wilmes Wednesday announced more relaxation of corona restrictions from 8 June moving to phase 3 of the country's exit strategy.
"The indicators are encouraging, as we can see in the daily reports of the figures," she told a press conference after a meeting of Belgium's security council.
"To be honest, it's looking better than we and the experts expected at the moment. This is the result of the collective effort of all of us," she noted.
"We started by banning everything.
Starting June 8th, we will think differently.
Freedom is our point of departure. Everything will be possible, except the things that are banned." Religious services will be able to welcome up to 100 people starting Monday rising to 200 on 1 July.
Starting 8 June trips in Belgium for one or several days are permitted. Starting 15 June trips abroad within the EU's Schengen Zone will be allowed.
Starting 1 July cinemas and theatres will also be able to reopen.
Cultural activities without an audience or crowd may be staged from 8 June onwards.
The Belgian prime minister stressed on 6 individual golden rules to be observed including hand hygiene and organizing activities out of doors if possible, if not, in properly ventilated spaces.
Extra precautions must be taken for people in risk groups.
Social distancing remains necessary except for people in your household, your extended social bubble and with children under 12, she said.
You can have closer contact with 10 people per week. This means that that group can change every week.
This applies everywhere, said the prime minister.
Restaurants will be able to reopen if social distancing, 1.5-m distance between people from different households - and other measures are observed starting 8 June. No more than ten people will be allowed at one table.
All sports activities may resume from 8 June. These include training sessions and matches, indoors and out. Some restrictions will apply.
"8 June is not the finish line of the exit plan," said Wilmes. "Phases 4 and 5 will take place in July and August if the situation permits.
The virus is not gone, and neither are the risks. We must remain vigilant, even though many are thoroughly tired of it by now," she added. (end) nk.mb