After the session of the National Security Council, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Belgium Sophie Wilmes declared that wearing a face mask will be mandatory in crowded places starting from July 25 due to the rise in the number of coronavirus cases, TASS reports.

Wilmes said wearing face masks will be mandatory in markets and other crowded places, as well as for all government agencies.

In Belgium, wearing a face masks in all public places is mandatory, people need to maintain 1.5-meter social distancing in closed and open spaces, and there can’t be over 15 people gathered in one place. Those who fail to observe the rules of wearing a face mask are fined EUR 250.

In mid-June, Belgium would report less than 100 coronavirus cases per day, but the numbers started rising again in early July.