March 20, 2020
Location: Belgium
Event:
Effective March 19, 2020, U.S. Embassy Brussels has suspended routine consular services. For emergency American Citizens Services, including emergency passports, please visit our website for additional information https://be.usembassy.gov/information-about-covid-19-and-travel-to-the-us/.
The government of Belgium has implemented measures to limit the spread of COVID-19. Citizens are required to stay at home in order to avoid contact outside their immediate family, except for essential travel, such as for food and medical needs, as well as for physical activity. All non-essential commerce is closed until April 5, 2020. Grocery stores, pharmacies, and banks remain open. Visit the local government COVID-19 website https://www.info-coronavirus.be/ and http://www.crisiscentrum.be/ for updated information.
Many travelers in Belgium have reported unexpected flight cancellations and limited flight availability. If your travel has been disrupted, please contact your airline. U.S. citizens who are considering returning to the United States are urged to work with their airlines to make travel arrangements while flights are still available.
On March 14, the Department of State authorized the departure from any diplomatic or consular post in the world of US government personnel and family members who have been medically determined to be at higher risk of a poor outcome if exposed to COVID-19.
The Department of State has issued a Global Level 4 Health Advisory advising U.S. citizens to avoid all international travel due to the global impact of COVID-19. In countries where commercial departure options remain available, U.S. citizens who live in the United States should arrange for immediate return to the United States, unless they are prepared to remain abroad for an indefinite period. U.S. citizens who live abroad should avoid all international travel. As of March 20, 2020, there are still commercial flights available from Brussels to the United States.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 3 COVID-19 Outbreak Notice for Europe.
Actions to Take:
- Consult the CDC website for the most up-to-date information.
- For the most recent information on what you can do to reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19, please see the CDC’s latest recommendations.
- Visit the COVID-19 crisis page on travel.state.gov for the latest information.
- Check with your airlines, cruise lines, or travel operators regarding any updated information about your travel plans and/or restrictions.
- Visit our Embassy webpage on COVID-19 https://be.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/ for information on conditions in Belgium.
- Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website on the latest travel restrictions to the United States
Assistance:
- U.S. Embassy Brussels, Belgium
Regentlaan 27 Boulevard du Régent, B-1000 Brussels
+32-2-811-4000
USCitizenBrussels@state.gov
https://be.usembassy.gov/ - State Department – Consular Affairs
888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444 - Belgium Country Information
- Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts.
- Follow us on Facebook and Twitter
