A new label for electrical appliances
The energy label (hitherto affixed to refrigerators, freezers, dishwashers, washing machines and screens such as televisions) comprising an A with small “+” will disappear in favor ofa classification which goes from A to G and which is supposed to better reflect the technical evolution, as well as energy performance current devices.
A device that can affix an A +++ label may now have to settle for a B at most under the new regime, as the new labels are much more stringent.
Other device categories will follow later. For example, electric lamps will be added from 1er September 2021.
Read also | Where and how can you quickly sell your eco-vouchers?
Your new eID will automatically embed your fingerprints
As of March 1, local authorities must now provide an electronic identity card with fingerprints. “Anyone who still has an old card can be reassured: it remains valid until the expiration date.“, explains Polinfo.be.
“If the card is stolen, damaged or lost, it is replaced with the new card with fingerprints.”
The sale of “laughing gas” prohibited at least 18 years
Since March 5, 2021, traders are no longer authorized to sell metal cartridges that contain nitrous oxide (also called laughing gas) and which are used in food siphons to minors.
This prohibition also applies to online sales.
According to Polinfo.be, “Sanctions (identical to those applicable in the event of non-compliance with the prohibitions relating to the sale of tobacco and alcohol) are also planned, up to 6 months imprisonment and 3000 euros fine.“
The tax authorities specify the teleworking allowances
On March 1, the tax authorities published a circular to set the rules forlump sum compensation for teleworking (up to 144.31 euros), for the purchase or provision of furniture. The details.
Additional aid for the affected sectors in Wallonia
The platform for submitting requests for additional aid granted by Wallonia to sectors still inactive will be accessible. from March 10 on the site https://indemnitecovid.be.
At the beginning of February, the Walloon government announced the granting of a compensatory intervention, going from 3,250 to 12,000 euros, depending on the number of workers and the period of closure, in the hotel and catering industry, holiday centers and villages, campsites, discos, cinemas, trade fair organizers, managers of zoos, sports and cultural facilities, at fairgrounds or even at amusement parks.
This measure concerns some 28,000 potential beneficiaries.
In addition, legal and technical work is being finalized concerning the compensation provided for the hotel sector (compensation of 1,000 euros per room), the measure targeting the self-employed / companies active in “B to B” and indirectly affected by the closure decisions and that relating to specific sectors (fireworks, rental companies, travel agencies, etc.), according to the office of the Walloon Minister of Economics, Willy Borsus.
Schedule change for some SNCB counters
The number of counters in its stations that the SNCB will gradually close by the end of the year. However, from 1er March, a transition period will come into effect and the hours of these counters will be modified with an opening of two to three days a week, until their final closure.
Return of the night train between Austria and Belgium
The ÖBB railway company has set at March 25 the resumption of night trips between Vienna and Brussels. The details.
Walloon roadworks now better reported
The decree of the Walloon government which provides for a reform of road construction signs in order to strengthen the safety of workers and users while improving traffic flow will come into force on March 1, 2021.
In this context, a systematic and greater attention will notably be brought to thea circulation of pedestrians and cyclists in built-up areas.
For’improve the visibility of construction sites, a daily inspection of the condition and placement of the signage will also be carried out after each meteorological episode that may disrupt or damage the signage (storm, thunderstorm, snow, etc.)
When work is interrupted for a specified period, signals that are no longer needed will be masked or removed.
The shock absorbers trucks will also be compulsory on motorways and similar roads. They were already in use, but they were not in the regulations.
Any reduction in bands will be signaled by a synchronized light beam.
In built-up areas, outside working hours, particularly in the evening and during weekends and whenever work is interrupted for a determined period, signals that are no longer necessary will be masked over their entire area or will be removed.
Finally, an indication of the number of km remaining to be covered for sites of more than 2 km will become the rule, just like the indication of the remaining time of the current phase for the traffic lights.
Extension of the moratorium on insurers
In the event of temporary unemployment, insurance companies have indicated that they will maintain until March 31 guarantees in terms of pensions, benefits in the event of death, disability and hospitalization under group insurance.
There is one month left to postpone a consumer loan
Until the end of March, it is still possible to submit a request for deferral of payment for consumer loans, And this, for a maximum period of 3 months, according to Febelfin.
This deferral will cover both principal and interest. Banks will not charge administrative fees or administrative fees for the transaction. Warning, the total deferral period granted (postponement authorized in 2020 and further postponement of 2021) cannot exceed 9 months.
Reopening of beauty salons
Following the development of more stringent protocols (for both practitioner and clients), beauty salons may reopen this March 1. For example, the practitioner must wear an approved mask and must allow 10 minutes between treatments to properly ventilate and disinfect the room.
Proximus and VOO extend support measures
With regard to Proximus, this mainly concerns the removal of download limits on all residential fixed internet products. Same story with Scarlet, its low cost brand.
For his part, VOO announced – on March 1, 2021 – an extension of unlimited fixed Internet for its Internet customers until April 30, 2021.
Parking prohibited on the ramps of the courthouse
The objective of the measure is to re-establish a connection between the top and the bottom of the city of Brussels, by creating a green pedestrian promenade, in the shade of the courthouse.