Update COVID-19: March-June 2020

Update 09/06/2020

Last Post ceremony with public attendance from 1 July 2020

In view of the relaxation of the corona measures announced by the National Security Council on 3 June, it is intended to allow members of the public to once again attend the Last Post Ceremony with effect from 1 July 2020.

Numbers will, however, be limited to a maximum of 132 people each evening and strict social distancing of 1.5 metres will be enforced under the Menin Gate.

These measures are essential to ensure the health and safety of all attendees and we would ask for everyone’s co-operation in ensuring full compliance. People or groups who wish to lay a wreath should apply in the usual manner, using the form on the website of the Last Post Association – www.lastpost.be. The participation of musical groups will not be allowed until further notice.

Update 05/06/2020

As from Wednesday 1 July 2020 the public will again be allowed to attend the daily Last Post under the Menin Gate, however the number of people will be strictly limited. All practical details will follow as soon as possible.

Representatives of the City of Ieper, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and the Last Post Association had a meeting on this matter on Thursday 4 June 2020.

Until 30 June 2020 included public access to the Menin Gate will not be allowed.

Thanks for your cooperation !

Update 05/05/2020

The measures below will certainly remain applicable until 7 June 2020.

Thanks for your cooperation !

Update 18/03/2020

Announcement by the Last Post Association – Last Post Ieper – with regard to the new measures taken by the Belgian Government to combat the coronavirus:

• With effect from today the Last Post will be played by just a single bugler.
• NO PUBLIC whatsoever will be allowed in the vicinity of the Menin Gate immediately before, during and after this playing.

We ask everyone to respect and comply with these new measures and NOT to attempt to view the ceremony. This is the only way not only to restrict the spread of the virus, but also to ensure the unbroken continuity of the Last Post, which might otherwise be at risk.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Update 14 March 2020

Communication by the Last Post Association Ieper
In response to the growing incidence of the coronavirus, from Saturday 14 March 2020 and until further notice the following measures will apply to the daily Last Post Ceremony at 8 p.m. under the Menin Gate Memorial:

• The ceremony will be restricted to an absolute minimum; namely, the playing of the Last Post as a tribute to the soldiers of the Commonwealth who fell for our freedom.
• No public allowed under the Menin Gate and we ask people not to be present.

These measures have been taken in collaboration with the City of Ieper and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and will remain in force for as long as is necessary.

The Last Post Association wishes to thank everyone for their willingness to comply with these measures and thereby prevent the further spread of the virus.

Update 11/03/2020

The Last Post Association wishes to make known that for the time being the daily Last Post ceremony at the Menin Gate will continue to take place at 2000 hours as normal, bearing in mind that:

• this is a short ceremony that currently attracts less than 1,000 visitors each evening;
• the ceremony takes place outdoors.

This will continue to be the case until such times as the relevant authorities may decide to impose more stringent restrictions.

In the meantime, the Last Post Association would nevertheless like to request it visitors:

• to refrain from coming to the ceremony if they are feeling unwell;
• to comply fully with any advice given by the relevant authorities.

The Last Post Association will publish an update if necessary.

Thank you for your co-operation.

Please always check the website and/or the social media of the Last Post Association for possible updates.