Belgian health authorities issued an alert Tuesday due to a sharp increase in flu cases in the country.

The alert includes advice for vulnerable groups of the population to wear protective face masks in public places. This was noted in the alert by the Risk Management Group of the Belgian government.

In Belgium, this recommendation to wear a face mask applies to people over 65 or those with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, lung disease, cancer, obesity, chronic kidney failure, or a weak immune system.

Relatives of people from these groups are also advised to wear face masks in crowded places, such as, in public transport.

Wearing face masks in public places is not mandatory in Belgium since 2022, when practically all restrictions related to the coronavirus pandemic were lifted in the country.