Morocco Tops List of COVID-19 Cases Among Travelers Returning to Belgium

This figure comes from the Sciensano report published by the Institute, confirming that Morocco has been facing a critical health situation for a few weeks.

The report indicates that in Belgium, an online form must be filled out by any person (Belgian or not) when entering or traveling to Belgium from another country, regardless of the mode of transport.

This system has revealed that the highest percentage of repatriated infected people comes from Morocco, specifying that in the week of July 19-25, the Belgian health authorities recorded an increase in the positivity rate of returnees from Morocco, with 4.7% of positives. But this rate has now risen to 7.5%, which represents more than one return out of 14, according to the daily The Brussels Times.

Biostatistician Geert Molenberghs, in a statement to the site, indicated that "after a year of absence, many Moroccans who went on vacation in their country of origin, and multiplied family gatherings and of course could not do without hugs and close contacts".

For the record, travelers from areas classified as "red" by the Belgian health authorities must, upon arrival in the country, present a vaccination or recovery certificate.