Belgium has intensified coronavirus restrictions as the number of new cases of COVID-19 and hospitalizations increases despite new measures introduced this week.

Politico writes this.

"The number of occupied ICU beds doubled in a week. The red line has been crossed, and that is, of course, very worrying. The analysis we did yesterday is that things are much worse than the worst-case scenario set by experts," said Prime Minister Alexander De Croo.

The government will speed up vaccination with a booster dose, with teachers being given priority. "If we didn't have the vaccine, the situation would be much more dramatic. Even so, the health situation is not sustainable," De Croo said.

"Our mission is very clear: We have to take steps to reduce the pressure in health care," he said, stressing the need for social distancing measures.

New testing centers will be opened, and as of Dec. 2, a new website will replace an overcrowded contact tracking service.

Remote work will be mandatory four days a week through Dec. 19. Starting Dec. 20, remote work will be mandatory three days a week.

Private parties will be prohibited except for weddings and funerals. Covid certification will be required for events of at least 50 people indoors and 100 outdoors.

Recall that on November 21 in Brussels, the capital of Belgium, thousands of people came out to demonstrate against the government's policy to counter the coronavirus epidemic.