Brussels makes the wearing of face masks mandatory in all public places

Everyone aged 12 years or older has to wear a mouth mask that covers the nose and mouth in all public places and private places accessible to the public throughout the Brussels-Capital Region.

The regulations do provide for a few exceptions. No face mask is required during sports and when performing intensive physical work on public roads.

People who cannot wear a mask for valid medical reasons can instead wear a plastic facial screen.

Belgium was among the world's worst-affected countries in terms of the number of deaths per head of population.

The Belgian authorities have so far reported 75,008 confirmed cases, with a total of 9,885 deaths and at least 17,841 discharged patients.

The actual number of infections, however, is likely to be much higher than the number of diagnosed cases, as laboratory tests are limited to specific people and/or people with severe symptoms, and because many people with mild or no symptoms do not seek medical help, even as they are likely to be transmitting the virus. (ILKHA)