Quarantine and self-isolation

Quarantine means preventive isolation in order to limit the possible spread of the coronavirus. Isolation means that you stay at home if you are ill or have tested positive for the coronavirus.

Quarantine

You have to quarantine:

• as soon as you feel sick, but have not yet taken a positive test
• in some cases if you were abroad for more than 48 hours or will be staying in Belgium for more than 48 hours. Read here about when you have to go into quarantine after arriving in Belgium. Quarantine and testing are mandatory. Those who do not abide by the rules risk a fine of EUR 250.

Procedure

• Stay at home.
• Get tested if necessary:
  • Modalities after certain stays abroad.
• Your quarantine is lifted upon receipt of negative results from the last test in the testing protocol applicable to your situation.
• If your test is positive, you must be placed in isolation.
• If you feel ill during this quarantine procedure, complete the online questionnaire. If it turns out that you are best tested, you will receive a test code which you can use this to make an appointment at a testing center or lab, or at a pharmacist. On this list you will find the pharmacists where you can have yourselve tested.

What should you do?

• Always wear a face mask
• You may only go to a pharmacy, doctor or supermarket.
• Don’t let other people in your house
• You may not visit others
• You may sit in your garden or on your terrace
• You measure your temperature twice a day
• Open your windows
• Clean every day what you touch a lot (e.g. door handles, taps, light switches, etc.).
• Use other things than the people living in your house (e.g. different plates, towels, sheets, etc.)
• Use a different toilet than the people who live in your house, if possible
• Use a different bathroom than people living in your house, if possible

Can you work?

If you can work from home, you have to work from home. You don’t go to the office. If you cannot work from home, you will receive a quarantine certificate.

If you are unable to telework, you can claim temporary unemployment benefits. Self-employed people who are unable to work due to quarantine may invoke a bridging right.

Self-isolation

You have to be in self-isolation when you test positive for the coronavirus. The isolation takes at least 7 days. Afterwards, precautionary measures (systematically wearing a mouth mask indoors and strictly limiting social contact) should be taken for a further 3 days. You will find more information on the duration of your isolation on Sciensano in French and in Dutch. Contact your doctor to obtain a certificate of disability if you test positive and it is impossible to work from home.

Procedure

• Stay at home.
• Only leave your house after 7 days
  • If you have not had a fever for at least 3 days
  • If there’s a clinical improvement of your symptoms
• Afterwards, precautionary measures (systematically wearing a mouth mask indoors and strictly limiting social contact) should be taken for a further 3 days.

What should you do?

• Do not go outside
• You may sit in your garden or on your terrace
• Don’t let other people in your house
• You may not visit
• Open your windows
• Clean every day what you touch a lot (e.g. door handles, taps, light switches, etc.).
• Stay away from the people who live in your house.
• Use other things than the people who live in your house (e.g. different plates, towels, sheets, etc.)
• Use a different toilet than the people who live in your house, if possible
• Use a different bathroom than people living in your house, if possible
• Use a different bedroom than the people living in your house, if possible.

If you do not follow the rules for quarantine or isolation, you may be punished or fined.