Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Both countries’ membership of the EU’s Schengen agreement means that no passport checks are required across the border, however – and in practice the situation is mostly a tourist curiosity. On an evening stroll, they passed a window, behind which someone was throwing a party with loud music and even a disco-style mirror ball. As of 2018 the countries’ border now goes down the centre of the river Meuse, with the Netherlands taking control of just over 40 acres of new land, while Belgium adopts around 8 new acres. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month, Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Keeping a distance is the main anti-coronavirus measure in the Netherlands. Special conditions may apply and you may need a visa. Translation: “Absurd situations on the Belgium-Netherlands border. The infection rate in Maastricht is on the rise. People in breach of the travel restrictions risk fines up to €4,000 and three months in prison. The change was prompted after a headless body was found in the area, Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile. Earlier this year Belgium closed its borders. But the situation keeps on changing and it is hard for people living in the region to keep up. With Covid-19 patients now filling about one-third of the intensive care units in the Paris area, France's health minister is threatening to close bars and ban family gatherings, if the situation doesn't improve, Anti-eviction protesters scuffle with police to prevent eviction of a family from their home at Las Ramblas in Barcelona Spain, Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican, A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. The village of Baarle-Hertog, north east of Antwerp, straddles the Dutch and Belgian border and has a number of Dutch enclaves contained inside Belgian enclaves inside the Netherlands. The only exception was when she was permitted to cross into Germany to buy her medication at a pharmacy there. Elvira Ney lives in fear of a fresh border closure. Over the last three months, the borders have reopened. In the weeks when the border was closed none of that was possible and Elvira felt cut off, she says. On the Belgian side, the border is shared by four Flemish provinces. The Dutch and Belgian border is less rational in other areas, however. "Now I'm in the Netherlands," they shout as they hop around the rock. Germany Coronavirus: Fear and confusion over looming border closures in tri-border region. The German national moved into shared accommodation and started her studies in Maastricht in September. "Here in Maastricht you could think, the pandemic is already over," she says. Parts of the Netherlands have also been declared high-risk areas, so people in the tri-border region are worried at what is in store for them as a second wave this winter beckons: What if the neighboring countries are both declared high-risk areas and crossing a border may mean being forced into quarantine? The border change is near the Belgian town of Vise, Belgian and the Netherlands move national border, Belgium becomes first country to make woman ambassador to Saudi Arabia, You may not agree with our views, or other users’, but please respond to them respectfully, Swearing, personal abuse, racism, sexism, homophobia and other discriminatory or inciteful language is not acceptable, Do not impersonate other users or reveal private information about third parties, We reserve the right to delete inappropriate posts and ban offending users without notification. Young people are being blamed for the fresh rise in numbers. "I think people on all sides of the borders are equally worried, we can all see how the numbers are rising," says Grüttemeier. BAARLE-HERTOG-NASSAU — With the border dividing the Netherlands and Belgium cutting straight through the entrance of her studio and art gallery, … But she just showed them the bag from the pharmacy and was waved through. The most insightful comments on all subjects will be published daily in dedicated articles.