The existing COVID-19 measures in Belgium are being extended until November 19, as Metropolitan Athinagoras of Belgium announced in a relevant encyclical.
The Metropolitan draws the attention of clergy and laity to the following measures; they must wear a face mask during the sacred services, the distance of 1.5 meters must always be maintained and hand hygiene must be performed in all indications.
He called on the faithful to comply with the measures and safety rules, stressing that “the decision to implement the measures is becoming stricter and fines will be imposed on the spot.”
Referring to the words of the Belgian prime minister, he said: “The new measures added to those currently in force are valid for one month, that is, until November 19, 2020. Of course, the period during which the measures will take effect will depend mainly on our behavior. There is no law or regulation that can stop this virus. Only we can do that by changing our behavior.”