Norway to end most pandemic curbs

Oslo: Norway will end nearly all of its remaining COVID-19 lockdown measures as high levels of coronavirus infections are unlikely to compromise health services, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere said on Saturday. 

According to details, the Nordic country removed most restrictions this month but it will still maintain some restrictions for the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard. 

The new directives will come into effect from Saturday at 10:00. 

Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere, in a news conference said, “We are removing almost all coronavirus measures”.

“The coronavirus pandemic is no longer a major threat to the health of most of us. The omicron virus causes much less severe disease and we are well protected by vaccines,” he added.  

Norwegians will no longer need to stay at least one meter (3 feet) apart or wear face masks in crowded environments. 

Removing these measures means that affected nightclubs and other entertainment venues can resume operations.

Additionally, infected people no longer need to self-isolate. Instead, they are recommended to stay home for four days.  

Moreover, travelers to Norway will no longer need to register their arrivals in advance and the government is also removing the previous requirement of proof of a negative PCR test before departure.

In December 2021, Norway went into partial lockdown to fight the highly contagious Omicron variant of coronavirus.