Jews in Antwerp have been advised not to wear masks on Purim, following terrorist attacks in Brussels on Tuesday.

In a statement, the Jewish Crisis Management Team, based in Antwerp, also urged the community to avoid using firecrackers or other toys that look or sound like weapons during their celebrations.

The statement explained: “With the police and army on very high alert, all these cause confusion and are potentially dangerous.”

Purim in Antwerp is normally celebrated as a public festival, with revellers taking to the streets in costume. But since the attacks at Brussels’ airport and a metro station, which left at least 31 people dead and 250 injured, planned events have been subdued.

A concert in Antwerp performed by popular Chasidic singers the Gat Brothers was cancelled, while Purim festivities in Brussels were also suspended.