Medical personnel push a respirator at the Saint-Jean hospital while Belgian government imposed a coronavirus lockdown in an attempt to slow down the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Brussels, Belgium March 20, 2020. REUTERS/Yves Herman
Belgium's newly formed federal government will provide 1 billion euros ($1.1 billion) urgently to help hospitals face the coronavirus crisis as the situation in the coming days become "extremely intense" for healthcare services, it said on Friday.
Priority is being given to healthcare measures but Belgium will have to go through an economic crisis, Belgian prime minister Sophie Wilmes told a news conference.
A nurse pushes an artificial respiration device at the Saint-Jean hospital while Belgian government imposed a coronavirus lockdown in an attempt to slow down the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Brussels, Belgium March 20, 2020. REUTERS/Yves Herman
Emergency moves to support the economy during the crisis would cost the federal government up to 10 billion euros, David Clarinval, federal minister for budget said. Fiscal measures could cost 4.5 billion euros, along with additional ones to support the unemployed and self-employed.
Belgium recorded 16 new coronavirus deaths on Thursday, taking the death toll to 37, the biggest daily rise since the beginning of the epidemic, a spokesman for the health ministry said on Friday. The number of infected stood at 2,257.
Remote working has become mandatory for all companies and social distancing measures must be implemented or companies will have to shut and could be fined.
People wearing protective face masks are seen at the Saint-Jean hospital while Belgian government imposed a coronavirus lockdown in an attempt to slow down the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Brussels, Belgium March 20, 2020. REUTERS/Yves Herman
The health ministry spokesman said the coming days would be "extremely intense" because the number of patients in hospitals will continue to increase but hospitals were ready to cope, with a total capacity of 1,900 beds, at least at the beginning.
Belgium imposed lockdown measures on Wednesday to contain the spread of coronavirus.
Staff of the Esperance hospital from Liege move a patient affected by coronavirus disease to a new hospital, CHC MontLegia as the country is hit by an outbreak of COVID-19 in Liege, Belgium, March 20, 2020. REUTERS/Johanna Geron
(Reporting by Marine Strauss; Editing by Toby Chopra and David Clarke)
A nurse pushes a respirator at the Saint-Jean hospital while Belgian government imposed a coronavirus lockdown in an attempt to slow down the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Brussels, Belgium March 20, 2020. REUTERS/Yves HermanStaff of the Esperance hospital from Liege prepares to move patients affected by coronavirus disease to a new hospital, CHC MontLegia as the country is hit by an outbreak of COVID-19 in Liege, Belgium, March 20, 2020. REUTERS/Johanna GeronStaff of the Esperance hospital from Liege prepares to move patients affected by coronavirus disease to a new hospital, CHC MontLegia as the country is hit by an outbreak of COVID-19 in Liege, Belgium, March 20, 2020. REUTERS/Johanna GeronPeople walk along an almost empty shopping street, while Belgian government imposed a coronavirus lockdown in an attempt to slow down the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Brussels, Belgium March 20, 2020. REUTERS/Yves HermanStaff of the Esperance hospital from Liege prepares to move patients affected by coronavirus disease to a new hospital, CHC MontLegia as the country is hit by an outbreak of COVID-19 in Liege, Belgium, March 20, 2020. REUTERS/Johanna GeronA woman leaves a hospital while Belgian government imposed a coronavirus lockdown in an attempt to slow down the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Brussels, Belgium March 20, 2020. REUTERS/Yves HermanPeople walk past a hospital while Belgian government imposed a coronavirus lockdown in an attempt to slow down the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Brussels, Belgium March 20, 2020. REUTERS/Yves Herman
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