Other information and services: www.belgium.be

Consultative Committee: Hairdressers will reopen from Saturday 13 February

Wash your hands regularly. Wear a face mask. Keep a distance of 1.5 m. Limit yourself to 1 close contact. Look out for vulnerable people. Work from home. Ventilate indoor spaces. Take your activities outside.
Today, the federal government and the federated entities convened the Consultative Committee to discuss the current coronavirus situation. The Consultative Committee has decided that hairdressers can reopen under very strict conditions from 13 February. Outdoor activities in animal parks will also be allowed from then on.

The coronavirus situation in our country offers a mixed picture today. The number of infections has shown a stable evolution since December. The number of hospital admissions and deaths are falling slightly. In the meantime, it remains necessary to stop the spread of new strains of coronavirus. Therefore, extreme caution is still required.

The Consultative Committee recognises, however, that personal care has a remarkable impact on our social well-being and mental health. Therefore, there will be a phased reopening of non-medical close-contact professions. Hairdressers will be able to resume their activities from Saturday 13 February. Other non-medical close-contact professions, such as beauty, massage and nail salons, can resume their activities from 1 March.

Very strict conditions

The reopening of non-medical close-contact professions is linked to very strict conditions and tightened protocols. These include:

  • A 10-minute waiting period between two treatments, this constitutes sufficient time for cleaning and disinfecting the treatment room
  • A mandatory appointment system
  • Customers must wait outside
  • The provision of sufficient ventilation, e.g. open windows and doors
  • The provision of home services remains prohibited

Outdoor activities in animal parks

Animal parks may reopen from 13 February under the same rules as nature parks. This means, amongst others, that only outdoor activities are allowed and there is strict access control.

Holiday homes in holiday parks, bungalow parks and campsites

The Consultative Committee also took note of the Judgement of the Council of State of 2 February regarding holiday homes in holiday parks, bungalow parks and campsites. In accordance with the Judgement, they will be able to reopen their activities from 8 February under the same restrictive conditions as other forms of accommodation. This means, amongst others, that they must keep their restaurants, drinking establishments and other common facilities closed.

Real Estate

The Consultative Committee confirmed its earlier decision to allow home visits as part of real estate activities by professional estate agents from 13 February onwards. 

Timeline

The Consultative Committee confirms that the current restrictions can be phased out gradually as soon as the epidemiological situation improves from a number of perspectives. Amongst others, the increase in the number of vaccinated citizens, especially vulnerable groups, will have a positive effect on this. The COVID-19 Commissariat and the GEMS were asked to draw up a timetable together with the competent ministers and sectors.

Next Consultative Committee on 26 February

Finally, the Consultative Committee has also decided to extend the Decree of 28 October 2020 until 1 April 2021. The reason for this is to also have the necessary legal certainty after 1 March 2021. This does not mean that no interim decisions or reviews are possible.

The next Consultative Committee is scheduled for Friday 26 February 2021.