After 7 months of observing social distancing measures to prevent the COVID-19 epidemic, from May 8, restaurants and coffee shops in Belgium were allowed to reopen to welcome guests, but they all have to serve outside. God. Anyway, this is also a good news for the Belgian people.
Diners enjoy coffee outdoors, when shops are allowed to reopen after a 7-month separation to fight the COVID-19 epidemic, in Brussels, Belgium on May 9, 2021. Photo: AFP/VNA According to the Vietnam News Agency correspondent in Belgium, May 8 is the weekend that many people in this country have been waiting for a long time, because this is the reopening day of coffee shops, after 7 months the food service industry is forced to reopen. Closed to prevent the spread of COVID-19. At the outdoor terraces in the center of Brussels, customers are very crowded. They come here to get a taste of normalcy after days of social distancing, as if to celebrate the return of freedom. “It’s great! I came here from Germany to visit my children and it is very interesting to sit at a bar like this. In Germany, the restaurant has not yet reopened, so I have to take advantage here to enjoy a beer. in a bustling space like this,” shared Ms. Monika Lueder-Pohlenz, a tourist from Germany. In areas near the Grand Square in the center of Brussels, during the weekend, customers flock to crowded eateries. After months of forced savings, many people want to treat themselves to a delicious menu. Sesa Kardo said he waited a long time for this day to return to the restaurant he has been familiar with for many years, even though he had to sit outside. “I will eat half of this dish to save my stomach for another. Maybe I will become a glutton. A delicious meal, a delicious dish like this I haven’t enjoyed in a long time. I really enjoyed it. happy,” he said. All restaurants, beer bars, and cafes have tables on the sidewalk to serve customers. Mr. Aurélien – owner of a beer bar in La Bourse square, put a dozen tables in front of the door to serve guests and did not accept reservations in advance to be able to receive the most customers. “The partial reopening of the restaurant and courtyard has been prepared by us for a long time. In fact, during the lockdown, we planned. A week before opening. When the door reopens, we check it out so we can serve it properly,” said Aurélien. In Châtelain, another vibrant district of Brussels, many cafes have installed wooden platforms on the parking lot to save space. “It’s good to be out,” Amy Marshall, 42, smiles and is happy to feel life is “getting back to normal”. “We’re also here to support traders,” she explains. A little further afield, at Supra Bailly, a group of four young men gather to drink beer. “This is our ‘headquarters’,” said Guillaume, 37. They shared a smile and clinked a cup to congratulate the fact that from now on, they could gather together to eat, drink and chat every weekend. After 16 months of being forced to close by government orders to prevent the epidemic, Mr. Thys Daniel is now able to sell goods again at a small market selling handicrafts near the Grand Square in Brussels. He was very happy to be able to welcome visitors again as before. “This market is usually open on weekends and sells handicrafts. Today is an important moment for us, marking the lifting of strict lockdown measures. This allows people to return. normal life, being in contact with each other,” said Mr. Thys Daniel happily. When I asked him, when will life really return to normal. He replied optimistically: “That’s okay. Then we quickly find our old habits in a normal rhythm of life.” At restaurants, the reopening is done in a regulated manner. Each table is limited to 4 guests, except for members of the same family who may be larger. Restaurants are allowed to open to serve visitors until 22:00. Despite allowing restaurants to operate, with the condition that Belgians are still required to wear masks in public places, on public transport and implement distancing measures at stores. Belgian authorities are considering reopening festivals in the second half of summer. Access to large gatherings, banned in Belgium due to the COVID-19 pandemic, will depend on testing and vaccination. The Belgian government’s advisory committee will meet on May 11 to determine the conditions to expedite reopening. According to worldometers, as of May 10, Belgium has recorded over 1 million cases of COVID-19 and 24,511 deaths due to this dangerous disease.
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