The last Concertation Committee (Codeco) had ruled out most of the rigorous measures recommended by Gems, the group of experts who advised it in this pandemic. But the increase in figures for all indicators of the epidemic and the pressure on hospitals maddened. The new rules, which have not yet had time to take effect, seem very weak in the face of the strength of the epidemic.

The microbiologist Emmanuel André Tweeted Wednesday that “the number of infections still to fuel is growing exponentially. There is therefore the option of reducing the number of contacts.“

Reducing the number of social contacts was not the path chosen during the previous Codeco, except in the professional context with teleworking. Instead, he relied on the mask and the covid safe ticket (CST). But the ministers of the Federal government and the federated entities will clearly have to review their copy.

What are their options? The exercise is complicated. The economic life is regaining her vigor, she doesn’t need a blow to the head. And measures like CST are already arousing anger … The virologist Marc van Ranst, with generally very resolute positions, believes that we are heading towards a “light” lockown.

Rather than directly closing parts of the economic sector, there is the option limitations, in terms of audience and schedule. With, for example, reduced hours and a limited number of guests at the table in catering (where the CST is already in force). In businesses, you might also have to redo your lessons on your own.

Rest the issue of nightclubs. Much abused in this crisis, they had to close in March 2020 and did not reopen until October of this year. They are subject to strict measures (ventilation and CST +), but are, in essence, conducive to very close contact. The Gems wanted to close them temporarily.

A significant number of transmissions take place at school and tracing is difficult. The last Codeco had targeted education, by imposing installation of CO2 detectors. This last measure will obviously take time to be effective.

The future Codeco could return to the opinion of Gems experts, who proposed the use of a mask as soon as the age of 9, by imposing it from the 4th primary.

The CST and the wearing of a mask are already required in the cultural and events sector. To keep these activities accessible, the number of participants could be limited.

The case of Christmas markets is complicated. Should we sacrifice them? It’s late to decide, that of Brussels opens this Friday. The organizers have invested in security measures (with controlled entrances and a wristband for the CST certifier in the capital) and traders are counting on financial income.

It would remain to authorize only the markets which are done outside and at crowd-limiting with strict filters at the entrances …

Gems experts had advocated a suspension for high-risk contact sports. Codeco had not followed, but could reverse its decision.

Currently, the public is welcome at competitions, with CST exceeding 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors. The public could be temporarily banned, or restricted. But we know the difficulty of controls …

Codeco has made telework compulsory, while leaving the possibility for workers to go to their company one day a week (and normally two days from December 13). There is therefore a card to be shed here.

If we tighten the screw in culture, sport, events and catering, the risk that the population will postpone its social life within the four walls of its house, where ventilation is not controlled, is tall. General restrictions would herald the return of the private bubble. The Gems talks about five close contacts per day.

Ministers also have the option ofimpose the mask in the street.

It is certain that the imposition of new measures will pass with difficulty to a part of the population, disappointed by this new wave which is sweeping despite the country’s high vaccination rate. But there would be a carrot at the end of the effort: If the epidemic calms down, Belgians could celebrate Christmas with their families, unlike last year.