Belgium extends virus measures until 3 May

Belgium is extending many of its key lockdown rules for two weeks but is planning to start reopening up the economy after May 3.

Prime Minister Sophie Wilmes said that any loosening of rules would depend on the cases continuing to taper off over the next weeks.

Originally the lockdown rules would have expired after the weekend but the intensity of the pandemic has forced the government to extend the exceptional situation.

She said the nation was "not yet at the de-confinement stage" and that respect for the government's recommendations "must be total".

Wilmes however added that garden centres and do-it-yourself shops could open under the same conditions as essential food stores now.

Wednesday's decisions were taken by the core cabinet and the leaders of the nation's different reasons on the advice of a group of scientists who have been intimately involved in the day-to-day running of the nation over the past week.

The decision comes near the end of the two-week Easter holidays, when hotels, restaurants and bars were idle during an exceptionally clement spring.

Schools will remain shut.

Wilmes also said that until the end of the summer holidays on August 31st, all mass events like music festivals must be cancelled.