The federal and regional governments have announced several extreme measures to control the spread of the coronavirus in Belgium

Schools across Belgium will be closed as of Monday, one of the far-reaching measures the federal government announced tonight during a press conference in response to the corona virus.

All schools will remain closed until 3 April, after which falls the two-week Easter holiday. Until 3 April, however, schools must be open to provide child care for parents who have no other options. This is especially the case, the government emphasised, for health-care workers and those who work in public safety. Child-care centres will also remain open.

Colleges and universities are not being forced to close, but the government recommends that they takes measures to provide distance learning options.

Starting on Friday night at midnight, all restaurants, clubs and bars must close. Shops must close in the weekend but can be open during the week. Supermarkets and other shops that sell food, as well as pharmacies, are an exception; they can be open during the week and at the weekend.