Finding Belgium and More

Now traveling anywhere is challenging even after 2 years of this pandemic. One variant after another, the pandemic never seems to be near ending.. In any case the life goes on and so as our travel.

Since the traveling is really getting difficult I thought I write about a few tips to travel around Belgium.

1. PCR test: Now anywhere you travel, you need to have a PCR test. Even if it is expensive, I found the most reliable way to get the test result done is COVID test center near airports. Most airports have some kinds of COVID test centers nearby. For Brussels airport, there is one right at the airport. If you do a rapid test, you can get the result within 3 hours. https://brusselsairport.ecocare.center/
2. Be informed for any change at any time: If you come from high-risk areas such as US (as of 1/23/22), please be prepared to be quarantined for 10 days. You need to have two tests done: within 24 hour and after 7 days. I think the policy does change rapidly so as the lists of high-risk counties. I would check the website on a regular basis before the visit. https://www.info-coronavirus.be/en/travels/
3. Digital vaccine certificate for Belgian travelers: Now in Europe (at least Belgium and Germany), it is mandatory to have the vaccine certificate to visit any public place. By accident, I found that you can apply for the digital COVID10 vaccine certificate for Belgian traveler. I found this very convenient but this only works for Belgium. It is always a good idea to carry hard copy of the vaccine certificate in my opinion. https://coronavirus.brussels/en/belgian-cst-for-foreigners/

While I was traveling around US, Belgium and Korea during this pandemic, I found it is really amazing how fast our lives have changed and how rapidly we have been adapting our life styles. Though I am not so sure whether this is good or bad, the rate we become accustomed to these life styles is surprising to me. Now we need to carry the vaccine certificate as if that is our ID.

In any case, I hope you find this useful if you are planning to travel during this tough time.