BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Belgium followed France on Friday by tightening measures to control the spread of the coronavirus to avoid a third wave of COVID-19 infections and preserve plans to open up the economy in May. After five months of lockdown restrictions, Belgium has plans to reopen restaurants, bars, gyms and cinemas on May 1. The tightening of measures stopped short of the lockdowns France announced on Thursday for Paris and northern regions. Health officials earlier warned that, after a long "plateau phase", Belgium was on the verge of a third wave of infections. More than 22,000 people have died from COVID-19 in Belgium, among the world's highest per capita fatality rate.

Source: The Star March 19, 2021 06:49 UTC