Not worried about my safety, more about the lockdown

November 21, 2015 4:10 AM

I'm scheduled to visit Brussels from Wed-Sun this week, and given the high alert and reports that seem to suggest shops, public places and events will be shut, I'm concerned that I've picked about the worst possible time.

I'm not worried about my own personal safety. That's not part of the calculation. But I am worried that if I go my options for pubs, restaurants, wandering around, public transit, etc will be terribly limited.

I have until today to get out with just a EUR140 hotel deposit forfeited, but if I wait until tomorrow that jumps to EUR600.

Stick with my plans or jump out and look for a plan B? If it matters, I'm coming in from Amsterdam on Wednesday, and have a ticket to a soccer match in Brugge on Thursday.

posted by GamblingBlues to Travel & Transportation (5 answers total)

I would still go, but if it makes you feel better, perhaps consider biking/hiking in the countryside or heading to a nearby smaller city during the day (Ghent? Mons is the 2015 European capital of cultre...). Perhaps give the hotel a call to see what they say, too.

But do get a travel insurance policy just in case.
posted by mdonley at 5:18 AM on November 21, 2015

Cantillon brewery in Brussels just posted on Facebook that they will be shut because of the security level, so it is a thing. I'd probably cancel while you still can with a smaller penalty. I might try and talk the hotel into waving or rescheduling without penalty due to places you were planning to go being closed.
posted by TheAdamist at 5:21 AM on November 21, 2015

You may want to check if you'll even be able to get into the country from The Netherlands. Or into the city from outside it.
posted by amro at 5:34 AM on November 21, 2015

Apparently the security level isn't meant to last indefinitely, so there's a chance it would be lifted by Wednesday, but I don't think you'd want to count on that. If you're fine going to Gent/Brugge/Antwerp as a back up, that could be something to consider. But apparently public life is Brussels is pretty shut down.
As far as getting into the country, I just drove to France, Lille, from Belgium, and there was some traffic at the border, but that's it.
posted by Karmeliet at 6:51 AM on November 21, 2015

The Metro is currently shut down in Brussels, as are many shops, restaurants and museums. I think you should re-schedule your trip.

One option would be to pick another Belgian city, like Antwerp and go there for a couple of days, and then go to Brugge for your soccer match. Outside of Brussels, things are calmer.
posted by colfax at 6:51 AM on November 21, 2015