Following lobbying from the retail sector to postpone the annual summer sales period, federal minister of consumer affairs Nathalie Muylle (CD&V) has announced that sales will begin on 1 August. The summer sales normally take place in July. While the proposal still has to be approved by the...

The mayors of Saint-Josse and Woluwe-Saint-Lambert have announced that facemasks will be distributed to residents of the Brussels municipalities. Masks are currently being made by local organisations and volunteers. “We know that there is still no scientific consensus on the general use of masks,”...

Schools in Flanders are preparing to resume teaching online after the Easter holidays, with a view to re-opening classrooms before the summer holiday. In an approach dubbed ‘preteaching’, pupils will start working on new material at home, and then revisit it when schools eventually re-open for...

One of the biggest cultural tragedies brought about by the measures to limit infections of Covid-19 is the closure of Jan Van Eyck: An Optical Revolution . Not only Belgium’s most significant exhibition of the year, it was a highlight in all of Europe and the cornerstone of Ghent’s big Van Eyck...

The first municipalities have announced the cancellation of all events within their borders long after the current measures to limit the spread of the coronavirus have passed. The current measures are in effect until 19 April, though in all likelihood they will be extended in full or in part. Saint...

Infectious disease expert Erika Vlieghe has been put at the head of a new committee formed to develop Belgium’s “exit strategy”. The group of 10 scientists, legal advisors and economists will determine how and when to ease off restrictions associated with the coronavirus in co-operation with the...

What do you think should be done with the Second World War bunker hidden under Place du Jeu de Balle? If you are like most of the capital’s residents, you didn’t even know it was there. The bunker was used by Marolles residents to escape WWII bombardments. It was fitted with electricity and running...

Fill your basket with eggs! Easter is around the corner and many of us – even more than usual – are looking forward to the seasonal indulgence. If you’re shopping for necessities, pick up a chocolate treat at the same time. From supermarket mini eggs, to handcrafted confectionary in your local...

Roadworks are restarting across Flanders, under strict health and safety conditions because of the coronavirus. The aim is to make as much progress as possible while traffic levels are low, and to restart a part of the economy where health risks can be controlled. “At the moment we have the...

The legendary Tour of Flanders road cycle race did not happen on Sunday, but a new kind of race emerged: A digital Tour of Flanders. The race across Flanders, and especially the Flemish Ardennes, takes place on the first Sunday of April ever year. Half the country either lines the 250+ kilometre...