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Many hundreds of families were reunited today after being separated for more than two months. As the border was locked completely unexpectedly, it was just as surprising that after more than two months today no concrete blocks were found at the border crossing. Totally out of the blue, Minister Pieter de Crem of the Interior, Security and Foreign Trade reports on Friday evening that today the borders are opening again for family visits to neighboring countries. 

There is nothing to get in the way of a perfect Pentecost weekend. Many of us immediately changed the schedule for the Pinster weekend. Friday night announced Minister Pieter de Crem already that from 30 May the Dutch and Belgians may cross each other's borders again for family visits, and vice versa, Belgians may also cross the border again today to do their shopping in the Netherlands.

concrete blocks

Due to the corona crisis, the Dutch-Belgian border was closed in March for non-essential movements. Family visits were not allowed, only under very strict medical conditions. It led to family meetings with concrete blocks in between. When we crossed the border at Philipinne in Zeeuws-Vlaanderen today to drive into the East Flemish village of Boekhoute, the nadar barriers (crush barriers) were still visible, but the barrier was removed.

You can still be stopped by the police and asked about the reason, but the absence of border surveillance shows that the borders are finally open again for family visits. 

borders completely open

De Crem also confirms that the permanent border controls will expire. There are still mobile checks on the distance, on the ban on gathering and on the presence on the territory. Not only family visits across the border are allowed again from Saturday, shopping in Belgium is also allowed again. Belgians can also travel to neighboring countries themselves to go shopping there. In fact, this means that the borders are reopening, because there are no longer any criteria to enforce.

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In the Netherlands, people responded surprised to the decision of the Belgian government to allow shopping across the border again. "Belgians are good at surprise tactics," the mayor of Sluis said on Twitter.

Also read: France will nevertheless open its borders to tourists from 15 June

family visit allowed
Belgian border
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