Code orange: Belgium to ease coronavirus rules on 18 February

Belgium will ease its coronavirus restrictions from next Friday (18 February) as figures confirm the fifth wave of the virus is in decline.

Working from home - currently compulsory for at least four days per week - will instead be "strongly recommended".

Children aged six to 12 will no longer be required to wear a mask at school, on public transport and in other indoor public spaces.

Cafes and restaurants can stay open after midnight - and the current limit of six people per table will be lifted. Customers will again be allowed to order and drink at the bar - and they will no longer be required to wear a mask when moving around, although staff must still wear one.

The rule requiring people to go shopping in groups of no more than two adults will also be scrapped.

Nightclubs will be allowed to reopen, with strict health protocols in place, and concert-goers will no longer be required to remain seated. Concert venues that meet the highest standards of ventilation - with CO2 levels not exceeding 900ppm - will be allowed to operate at 100% capacity.

Outdoor recreational activities can go ahead with no capacity limits. Indoor activities can be organised with up to 200 people present.

The changes come as the consultative committee agreed on Friday to lower the alert level on the country's coronavirus barometer from the current red - the highest level - to orange.

The Covid Safe Ticket - required to access cafes, restaurants and cultural venues - will remain in place until the coronavirus barometer falls to the next lowest level, yellow.

The consultative committee is due to meet again in mid-March to assess the coronavirus situation, unless a more urgent need arises to meet sooner.