Belgium: Restaurants, bars reopen in Brussels

After months of lockdown, Belgium's cafes and restaurants reopened on Monday with customers once again able to dine or drink outside.

The establishments are required to follow safety regulations to protect their customer's health and minimise potential spread of the coronavirus.

Michel De Triest, owner of the Poechenellekelder cafe near Brussels' Grand Place said keeping his business going during the lockdown had been difficult, but he was "optimistic" following the reopening.

Edouard Gerard, a Brussels resident and a regular customer at  Poechenellekelder, said he was not afraid of coming to the cafe.

With European borders slowly reopening, many patrons and bar owners are hoping foreign tourists will return to dining establishments and keep businesses alive.