Quarantine and self-isolation

In view of the favourable evolution of the pandemic, the Interministerial Conference on Public Health of 26 April 2023 has put an end to the automatic 7-day isolation requirement after a positive COVID test. From now on, a COVID-19 infection will be treated as a flu.

The federal entities are taking the necessary measures to ensure that this decision comes into force as quickly as possible. In Brussels, the measures are immediate.

The ministers emphasize that it is very important that people with respiratory symptoms (e.g. cough and fever) stay at home as long as they persist. If the symptoms are severe, the general practitioner should be contacted. If a COVID test is positive in the absence of symptoms, people are no longer required to stay at home.

In case of symptoms of respiratory infection (coughing, sneezing…), it is always recommended to wear a mouth mask, especially in case of contact with elderly or vulnerable people. Other hygiene recommendations to reduce the transmission of respiratory infections, such as hand washing and good ventilation, are also recommended. It is important that you protect yourself, your colleagues and others.

For nursing home residents, it is up to the attending general practitioner to decide on protective measures in case of a resident’s respiratory infection. The measures to be applied in the facility should be determined by the coordinating doctor, with the support of the nursing home team.

For hospitals, it is up to the hospital’s hygiene committee to determine the rules for possible isolation.