BRUSSELS — Theaters, cinemas and swimming pools in Belgium can reopen next month, the latest easing of the country's coronavirus lockdown.

Speaking after a meeting of the national security council, Prime Minister Sophie Wilmes said “there are fewer and fewer rules, but they have to be followed.”

With a population of some 11 million inhabitants, Belgium has been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic, with more than 60,000 confirmed cases and 9,722 deaths.

Infections have fallen sharply over the past two months, giving the government room to relax the lockdown restrictions.

From July 1, Wilmes said Belgium’s residents will be allowed to meet with 15 different people each week, instead of 10 previously.

In theaters and cinemas, crowds of 200 people will be allowed, while the maximum capacity at outdoors events will be limited to 400.

Wilmes said wearing a mask is recommended and could become mandatory in public spaces if a second wave of infections hits the country.