The mouth mask obligation in East Flanders is being expanded, governor Carina Van Cauter decided on Tuesday. From now on it is mandatory, among other things, to always have a mouth mask with you and in the period of All Saints’ Day it is mandatory to wear a mouth mask at all public cemeteries. In addition, there will also be a mandatory mouth mask in all publicly accessible parts of public buildings (including recycling parks).
With this expansion, Van Cauter wants clear and coherent measures in all municipalities and cities in East Flanders, which also ensure better enforcement now that the epidemic is raging through East Flanders again. “We have seen our positivity ratio double to 7.4 percent in two weeks, in a week there are twice as many corona patients in our intensive care, all East Flemish cities and municipalities are in alert phase and 56 of the 60 cities and municipalities have an incidence that is higher than 100 in 100,000 ”, she says. “That is – in short – all hands on deck.”
Face masks in cemeteries
Many cities and municipalities in East Flanders have already introduced a mouth mask obligation on public cemeteries around All Saints’ Day. During the weekly meeting of Governor Carina Van Cauter with the mayors of East Flanders, it turned out that even more local authorities were planning this. “That is why I have decided to take over this obligation for the entire province. On the occasion of All Saints’ Day, great crowds are expected at the public cemeteries. Keeping your distance can get difficult at times. Moreover, people from different cities and municipalities and from different generations visit cemeteries. ”
This obligation applies from Monday October 26 to Sunday November 8 and applies to both public cemeteries and car parks.
Face mask in public buildings
In addition, the governor also decided to make a mouth mask mandatory all publicly accessible parts of public buildings and at the recycling parks. “With this, too, I meet the mayors’ demand and we continue to strive for coherence and clarity for the citizen.”
Mouth mask always with you
In addition, it is for all East Flemish from the age of twelve is obliged to always carry a mouth mask, or an alternative in fabric, on the entire territory of the province of East Flanders and to show this at the request of the police. “In this way, no one can unexpectedly end up in a busy situation, only to have to determine that he or she does not have a mouth mask in their pocket.”
“Don’t look for exceptions”
The governor concludes with an emphatic appeal. “The coming days will be crucial for our hospitals. Therefore this appeal to all citizens: take your responsibility, don’t look for exceptions in the rules, limit your contacts, think about the necessary hand hygiene and wear a mouth mask where necessary. ”
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