Belgium Bans Travel From and to India, South Africa and Brazil

Belgium’s government has banned travel from India, Brazil, and South Africa due to an upsurge in COVID-19 infections and its new strains in the territories of the three.

According to an announcement of the government, the newly imposed ban includes travel by plane, ship, bus, train and transit traffic, AtoZSerwisPlus.com reports.

However, there will be some exemptions for diplomats and transport workers if they can prove that their trip is essential.

Belgian residents and citizens will be allowed to travel back to Belgium from any of the three countries mentioned above; however, they must undergo a testing process twice throughout a week. If they fail to meet such requirements, they risk facing a fine of €250.

The exact same requirements are already in place for travellers coming from the United Kingdom.

Authorities in Belgium clarified that there would be further talks at the European Union level, particularly with neighbouring countries, to reach a coordinated approach in this regard.

“The transport of passengers by plane, train, boat and bus, including transit, from India, Brazil and South Africa to Belgium will be prohibited,” Prime Minister’s Alexander De Croo office has announced through a statement.

Belgium’s Ministry of Interior will provide further detailed information regarding the travel ban shortly, the Prime Minister’s Office pointed out.

The country has registered 982,959 cases of infection, and 24,140 deaths, based on the data published by Worldometers.

The Coronavirus pandemic situation in India led authorities in some other countries to ban travel from India.

With over 18,376,520 confirmed cases, India is the second most affected country worldwide by the Coronavirus pandemic.

Besides Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Bangladesh and Maldives took the same preventive measures by banning travel from India after the latter reported an upsurge in the number of infections.

The Netherland’s authorities have temporarily frozen travel from India until at least May 1 in a bid to protect their citizens’ life from the rapid spread of the virus.

Still, the ban will not include cargo flights and flights carrying medical personnel. Such an announcement was confirmed by the country’s government.

Germany and Italy also announced that they have temporarily banned entry from India to contain the virus from further spread.

All persons who have visited India during the past two weeks will not be permitted to enter Italy, the latter’s government confirmed.

However, the government clarified that Italian residents in India would be allowed to return if they obtain a negative result of the COVID-19 test before departure and arrival.