Former Montrealers describe 'eerie' scene in Brussels

The state of high alert continues in Brussels, amid warning of a potentially imminent terrorist attack.

For two former Montrealers living in the Belgian capital, the lockdown has meant altering their daily routines.

• WATCH | Life under lockdown in Brussels
• Brussels on partial lockdown due to 'imminent' threat of attack
• PHOTOS | Brussels on high alert

Local authorities have warned the public to avoid crowds because of a "serious and imminent" threat of an attack.

Scott Durno told CBC's Daybreak his neighbourhood of Molenbeek is normally a bustling community.

But since the lockdown orders came Saturday, it's been a virtual ghost town.

"It's very eerie to be honest," he said. "I went for a jog this morning around Molenbeek. It's a neighbourhood that's usually quite vibrant and full of life and not so much in the last couple of days."

Belgian authorities closed down the subway system in Brussels Saturday and flooded the streets with armed police and soldiers in response to what they said was a threat of Paris-style attacks.

Between Sunday night and midday Monday, 21 people were detained in raids in the city.

The Canadian government says its embassy in Brussels will be closed until further notice.

Charlotte Gautier, a freelance journalist who moved to Brussels from Montreal two years ago, said despite the restrictions, many people are trying to live life as normally as possible.

She said she went out over the weekend but followed the warnings of the authorities and avoided the main public spaces.

"With my friends, we decided to go out anyway just to keep on living," she said. "It's been quite difficult to do so because a lot of bars are closing down around 5 [p.m.]. Just a couple have decided to remain open to keep on living as much as possible."

Belgium's interior minister said the investigation is ongoing, and it's not likely the lockdown will be lifted soon.

Twitter silence

To protect police operations, the media and the public have been asked to refrain from reporting on their exact locations and activities. 

Durno said one of the most surreal moments thus far was when social media went silent during the police raids Sunday night. 

Despite the heightened threat level and restrictions, he said he isn't worried. 

"I do feel safe, I definitely feel safe. I have faith that the Belgian government is doing what they can, with the resources they have and I'm not worried."