Belgian Prime Minister Sophie Wilmes, prepares to address a press conference following the National Security Council meeting on the virus outbreak, in Brussels, Wednesday, September 23. Facing a surge of new coronavirus cases far higher than in other parts of Belgium, Brussels authorities are closing bars early in the EU institutions capital city. Beginning tonight, all bars and cafes have to close between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. while any other businesses selling drinks or food will shut down at 10:00 p.m. Local media said authorities thought about starting the bar curfew at 10:00 p.m. but the proposal was rejected to support virus-ravaged businesses. According to the Belgian cafes federation, half of the country’s 12,000 bars may not survive the coronavirus crisis.-AP

Source: The Standard September 28, 2020 10:52 UTC