Belgian minister wants fine for arrivals who refuse COVID test

Justice Minister Vincent Van Quickenborne urges to strict measure for those travellers who refuse to take mandatory COVID-19 tests upon arrival in Belgium, DW reports.

Since January 1st, Belgium requires people who stay in a so-called “red zone” for more than 48 hours to take a COVID-19 test on arrival in the country. Test #2 should be done after seven days. Under the current rules, iIf travellers do not comply, they should be fined €250, Van Quickenborne said on Tuesday.

“Anybody returning to Belgium today must fill out the passenger location form … each traveler receives a code that entitles them to two tests,” justice minister added.

Echoing Van Quickenborne’s intention, another Belgian official, Mobility Minister Georges Gilkinet, has reiterated that time to travel for leisure reasons has just ended for the uncertain time.

Interior Minister confirmed that Belgium vowed not to close its borders unilaterally. In his efforts to keep the outbreak under control, Health Minister said a complete ban on non-essential travel was not under discussion. The final decision should be elaborated until Friday.