OSLO (Reuters) – The Norwegian government will gradually loosen the capital region’s coronavirus lockdown, permitting some shops and recreational activities to reopen from Feb. 3 onwards, Health Minister Bent Hoeie stated on Saturday.
The outbreak of a more contagious variant of COVID-19, first identified in Britain, had prompted the introduction of stricter measures on Jan. 23, together with the closure of all non-essential stores in and around Oslo for the first time within the pandemic.
“Infections are going down continuously in Norway and we now have a greater overview over the outbreak and spread,” Hoeie told a news conference.
The situation within the capital area stays uncertain, however, and the easing will therefore be gradual, he added.
Stores that are not in shopping centers shall be allowed to reopen on Wednesday, as will restaurants although alcohol can’t be served, the government stated.
Schools will also see fewer restrictions, permitting for more classroom teaching and bigger groups of students, although local conditions will apply.
Closure of the Norwegian border for all however important visits that took effect on Friday stays in place at least till Feb. 11.
The nation of 5.4 million individuals has recorded 62,276 COVID-19 cases and 563 deaths so far within the pandemic, according to the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, making it one of Europe’s least affected nations.
