Phase three of the country's roadmap out of lockdown got underway on 8 June with most businesses resuming operations, including cafes, restaurants and bars, with the requirement that tables must be kept 1.5 metres apart. Tourist boats have returned to the canals of Bruges, hotels have begun to accept bookings and, as of 15 June, restrictions have been lifted for travel within the European Union, and from the UK, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.

 

Some of those measures include an extension of parental leave and a €300 (US$337) tax-deductible voucher that workers can receive from their employers to use in restaurants, museums, theatres and other hard-hit sectors. A free 10-journey rail pass was supposed to be introduced in July as part of the package but that particular scheme has been rejected by the country's national rail operator amid health and safety concerns.