Belgium has so far been spared from coronavirus (COVID-19)
outbreaks. Now that many people have returned from holidays
(February 22 – March 1), however, this might change. This
article provides practical guidance on employer's rights and
obligations should coronavirus strike Belgium.
General health and safety requirements
Employers are obliged to take preventive measures to protect
their employees against health and safety issues in the
workplace.
In this respect, Belgian law requires employers to perform a
risk analysis of employees' risks of exposure to biological
agents (such as viruses). The risk analysis must include necessary
and appropriate measures to minimize the risks of exposure to the
coronavirus (e.g., a regime of hand-hygiene at the
workplace, guidelines to prevent contamination, a business travel
ban to affected countries, etc.).
