Restriction of Access: Belgium Barricades Entry Points with the United Kingdom
Heythere! Here's an updated version of the article regarding the temporary border closure between Belgium and the United Kingdom due to the new coronavirus mutation.
Quick Update on Belgium's Border Closure
In response to a more contagious variant of the coronavirus discovered in the UK, Prime Minister Alexander De Croo announced a 24-hour border closure to travelers from the UK, starting from midnight last Friday. This move came shortly after the Netherlands implemented a similar ban on incoming flights from the UK.
As a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of this new strain, Belgium has closed its borders for 24 hours while scientific consultations on the virus mutation continue. However, the Prime Minister hinted that the measure could be extended if necessary.
Impact on Transport and Eurostar
The border closure primarily affects travelers arriving by train or plane from the UK. Eurostar connections will also be temporarily shut down, and preventive roadside checks have been put in place on the French/Belgian border to monitor anyone coming from the UK via France.
Eurostar has announced that it cannot operate trains between London and Paris, Brussels, Lille, or Amsterdam on December 21 and 22 due to the Belgian government's decision. Trains from Amsterdam, Brussels, and Lille to London on these dates will also be affected, but services between Paris and London will continue. Eurostar plans to resume all train services to and from the UK on Wednesday, December 23, but they await further details from the relevant governments on how travel restrictions will be enforced.
Passengers are advised to avoid the station unless they have a ticket and their train is running, and to check the latest official government information prior to departure. Tickets are not being sold at the station at this time.
Despite the lack of recent or specific updates in search results regarding this border closure and its impact on Eurostar services, historical data indicates that such closures or restrictions often lead to suspensions or reductions of Eurostar services between Brussels and London until the measures are lifted or adapted.
In any case, for the latest and precise information on Belgium's border status with the UK and Eurostar operations in relation to the new coronavirus mutation, official updates from Belgian government sources or Eurostar would be the most reliable.
The border closure has led to a temporary suspension of Eurostar connections between London and Brussels, Lille, Paris, and Amsterdam, as announced by Eurostar due to the Belgian government's measure. This situation, however, may be extended if necessary, following consultations on the coronavirus mutation. In the realm of policy-and-legislation and politics, this is part of the general-news Circle, with Europe aggressively monitoring new variants of the coronavirus and implementing travel restrictions accordingly.
