Belgian government’s Covid measures overturned after appeal by cultural sector

A woman stands in front of a closed theatre in Antwerp, Belgium (Virginia Mayo/AP)

In a setback for the Belgian government, an advisory body has suspended a Cabinet-ordered closure of the cultural sector, saying that new coronavirus restrictions imposed on cinemas and theatres are unreasonable.

Under new restrictions that took effect on Sunday, cinemas, concert halls and arts centres were ordered to shut their doors. Some stayed open in protest. The order came despite the assessment of the scientific committee advising the government that going to such places posed no extra risk to public health.