Belgium, a country of around 11.5 million people, has reported 184,565 suspected violations of coronavirus rules since restrictions came into force, according to official figures. Between March 2020 and February 14 2021, almost 97,000 people were fined on the spot and more than half of them actually paid, according to figures released by the College of Attorney Generals. Covid-related fines in Belgium range from $300 to about $5,000:Residents breaking quarantine or violating ban on small gatherings -- $300Returning travelers not getting a Covid-19 test -- $300Businesses caught breaking Covid-19 restrictions -- $900People attending a large gathering or party -- $900 (organizers pay around $5,000)Earlier in February, police in the neighboring Netherlands said they been issuing between 7,000 and 12,000 fines a week since a nationwide 9 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. curfew came into force in late January. Violating that curfew, which was designed to reduce social interaction and thus the spread of coronavirus, comes at a cost of around $114. On Tuesday a Dutch court ruled that the government must “immediately” lift the curfew, upholding a claim from the foundation viruswaarheid.nl, which means “virus truth."

Source: CNN February 18, 2021 14:27 UTC