Coronavirus measures by the City of Brussels
The City of Brussels has taken several decisions in order to best respect the measures of the federal government in the fight against the coronavirus (Covid-19).
- Code yellow from Monday 7 March (in French, 7 March 2022)
- Basic rules against the coronavirus
- Vaccination
- Screening and testing: screening centres in Brussels + Covid-19 testing
- Covid-19 self-test
- Travelling
- Coronavirus COVID-19
- Frequently asked questions (FAQ in English and other languages)
- Measures in several other languages
More info:
- Police Decree of the Minister-President maintaining certain health restrictions in the fight against Covid-19 and repealing the Police Decree of 28 October 2021 (PDF, 3.34 MB) (in French and Dutch, 15 November 2021)
- Police Decree of the Minister-President maintaining certain health restrictions in the fight against Covid-19 and repealing the Police Decree of 14 October 2021 (PDF, 3.51 MB) (in French and Dutch, 28 October 2021)
- Police Decree of the Minister-President maintaining certain health restrictions in the fight against Covid-19 and repealing the Police Decree of 30 September 2021 (PDF, 2.67 MB) (in French and Dutch, 14 October 2021)
- Draft ordinance on the extension of the Covid Safe Ticket in case of necessity arising from a specific epidemiological situation (PDF, 283.37 KB) + Explanatory Memorandum (PDF, 457.97 KB) (in French and Dutch)
- Police Decree of the Minister-President determining new health restrictions in the fight against Covid-19 and extending certain health measures as contained in the Police Decree of the Minister-President of 30 August 2021 (PDF, 3.94 MB) (in French and Dutch, 30 September)
- Police Decree of the Minister-President with a view to preserving certain restrictions on the territory of Brussels to prevent the spread of the coronavirus (PDF, 4.59 MB) (in French and Dutch, 30 August 2021)
Since 1 December 2020, the City of Brussels has been taking specific measures to manage the flow of visitors to the Rue Neuve:
Only go to the Administrative Centre or the liaison offices of the City of Brussels if it is really necessary. This in order to respect the health advice as well as possible.
The counters at the Administrative Centre are open from Monday to Friday (with openings on Thursday evening until 6:30 pm). The reception will continue as much as possible by appointment.
All citizens are asked to:
- come alone (unless the presence of another person is necessary)
- arrive maximum 15 minutes before the appointment time
- wear a face mask during their visit (obligatory)
- disinfect their hands at the entrance of the building
Citizens must respect the safety distances thanks to a marking on the ground indicating the place where they must stand.
- Online services: the e-desk and My file remain available to request a lot of certificates and documents.
- Information: for simple questions please contact us on 02 279 22 11 or by e-mail (all addresses can be found on our website).
More info:
Submitting permit applications
It is possible to submit new applications for town planning and environmental permits (or additional documents to an already submitted file) on site. However, you must make an appointment in advance by telephone: 02 279 29 29. When submitting your file and/or documents, you will receive a receipt on site. The official proof of submission as referred to in the CoBAT - BWRO will be sent to you later by e-mail.
Extension of periods
Pursuant to the power of attorney decisions nr 2020/038 (PDF, 312.53 KB) and nr 2020/052 (PDF, 428.55 KB) adopted by the Government of the Brussels Capital Region on 10 June 2020 and 23 December 2020, some terms of the Brussels Town Planning Code and the Ordinance of 5 June 1997 on environmental permits have been extended, depending on the date of the submission of the application, the type of application or the stage of the procedure.
Public inquiries
The organization of the special rules for disclosure (public inquiry and/or consultation committee) has been severely disrupted by the sanitary crisis and is accompanied by numerous measures and an adapted approach. These ensure that the social distance rules as well as the necessary hygiene measures can be observed to help prevent the spread of Covid-19.
For example, from now on, the consultation of the administrative file, the communication of technical explanations or submission of an oral complaint are only done by appointment (02 279 29 29) or digitally.
Taking into account the current health measures, the files are handled chronologically, based on the date of receipt of the last documents added to the file.
Due to the very large number of files that must be subject to public inquiry, we are unable to determine the schedule of public inquiries at the time when the files are declared complete. Moreover, it will not be possible to submit all files to the consultation committee for advice at the same time.
The dates and agendas of the meetings of the consultation committee can therefore only be determined after the public inquiries have ended, in function of the responses received. After all, these determine how many files can be handled per session.
Consult the ongoing public inquiries at:
Consultation Committee
The organization of the special rules for disclosure (public inquiry and/or consultation committee) has been severely disrupted by the sanitary crisis and is accompanied by numerous measures and an adapted approach. These ensure that the social distance rules as well as the necessary hygiene measures can be observed to help prevent the spread of Covid-19.
Pursuant to the power of attorney decisions nr 2020/038 (PDF, 312.53 KB) and nr 2020/052 (PDF, 428.55 KB) adopted by the Government of the Brussels Capital Region on 10 June 2020 and 23 December 2020, and to allow everyone to assert his or her point of view in the best possible and safe conditions, the City of Brussels now organizes the meetings of the consultation committee exclusively digitally, via the Zoom platform.
From now on, the following rules also apply during the hearings:
- Only persons who have explicitly requested to be heard during the public inquiry will be admitted to the consultation committee
- In the case of a petition, neighborhood committee or other association, the number of persons admitted to the consultation committee is limited to 2 per petition, per neighborhood committee or per association
- Only the persons in possession of an invitation are admitted to the consultation committee
- The number of persons accompanying or representing the applicant is strictly limited to 2, including the architect
Taking into account the current health measures, the files are handled chronologically, based on the date of receipt of the last documents added to the file.
Due to the very large number of files that must be subject to public inquiry, we are unable to determine the schedule of public inquiries at the time when the files are declared complete. Moreover, it will not be possible to submit all files to the consultation committee for advice at the same time.
The dates and agendas of the meetings of the consultation committee can therefore only be determined after the public inquiries have ended, in function of the responses received. After all, these determine how many files can be handled per session.
Consult the new dates of the Consultation Committee meetings, the agenda and the advice issued by the Committee on:
The publicity of the sessions is ensured by broadcasting the debates via the website of the City:
Shops and traders
Shops are open. More info:
- Coronavirus: authorized economic activities (in French, FPS Economy)
- BXL gift cards
Respect all safety and health instructions. Nose and mouth protection is required.
Markets
The markets are open.
Restaurants and cafes
The restaurants and cafes are open.
Need help?
- 1819 (doing business in Brussels)
- Support measures for cafes, bars and restaurants (City of Brussels)
- Temporary extension of terraces
Hotels and aparthotels
Hotels and aparthotels are open.
Support measures
A website lists the local shops as well as the restaurants according to your quarter (online order, take away or home delivery):
- Local traders in Brussels (in French and Dutch)
The services remain available:
- Markets Unit: 02 279 25 20 and/or marches.markten@brucity.be
- Horeca Unit: 02 279 22 60 and/or horeca@brucity.be
- Commercial Events Unit: 02 279 25 30 and/or animations.eco.animaties@brucity.be
More information is also available at:
- Support measures for traders
- Support measures for cafes, bars and restaurants
- 1819 (doing business in Brussels)
- Economic recovery plan of the City of Brussels (PDF, 127.73 KB) (in French)
- Economic recovery plan of the City of Brussels (PDF, 172.53 KB) (in Dutch)
More information on the federal, regional and municipal measures is also available at:
- Support measures for traders
- Support measures for cafes, bars and restaurants
- 1819 (doing business in Brussels)
The police offices are open.
The cultural centres, theatres and cinemas are open.
The libraries are open.
The swimming pools of the City (Centre, Neder-Over-Heembeek and Laeken) are open. Booking is no longer required.
The museums in Brussels are open.
The museums of the City of Brussels:
You can request information by telephone from your Community Centre to find out about the new measures and activities within each community centre.
A social follow-up of isolated seniors is being ensured via the free number:
- 0800 35 550
Need help shopping? The Community Centres have activated a shopping shuttle system:
- Shopping shuttle (in French)
The social offices of the CPAS of the City of Brussels remain open and can be reached via the usual means of communication. An additional free number was also created:
- 0800 35 237
Social Action Unit COVID
The Social Action Unit COVID (CSAC) assists the inhabitants of Brussels who were materially, financially and psychologically affected by the Covid-19 crisis:
Food packages
The Resto du Coeur in Laeken, which cooperates with the CPAS, is open. The non-profit organization also distributes food packages (Colis du Coeur) to anyone who needs them.
Support for students and young people
The Public Welfare Centre (CPAS) of the City of Brussels makes free study rooms available to students to prepare their exams or for distance learning.
Student Service (in French)
The CPAS has launched a new initiative to support the projects of young people aged 18 to 25 in difficulty. In collaboration with civil society organizations, the CPAS intends to reach out directly to young people in order to help them transform their needs into projects:
- Deal 18-25 (in French)
The Culture Service holds auditions for street artists again.
- Homeless
- Operation Thermos (food distribution)
- Ordinance of the Mayor on the fight against non-compliance with emergency measures to limit the spread of the coronavirus Covid-19 by the implementation of municipal administrative sanctions (PDF, 895.79 KB)
- Circular n° 06/2020 of the Board of General Prosecutors near the Courts of Appeal (PDF, 1.16 MB)
For all information about the new measures (taken in the Brussels Capital Region) to limit the spread of Covid-19:
- Measures against coronavirus in the Brussels Capital Region (in French)
- Frequently asked questions (FAQ in English and other languages)
STIB
The measures of the STIB public transport company (metro, tram and bus):
Collection of garbage bags
The measures of the 'Bruxelles-Propreté' Service (collection of garbage bags, Recypark, Proxy-Chimik,...):
Initiatives by citizens and solidarity
A non-exhaustive list of initiatives:
- Brussels' inhabitants are mobilising (Visit.brussels)