Norway announced it will ease many of the restrictions put in place to stop the spread of coronavirus, including reopening all schools next week and lifting the maximum number of people allowed at public gatherings.
The country has identified 8,034 confirmed cases of the virus, according to the tally by Johns Hopkins University. At least 217 have died.
“Thanks to everyone’s joint efforts since mid-March, we have got the spread of coronavirus under control,” Norway’s Prime Minister Erna Solberg said Thursday.
“This means that we can now gradually lift the strict measures we introduced. Our aim is to allow as many businesses and activities as possible to reopen and start up again before the summer.”
Some of the changes include:
With immediate effect, the maximum number of people allowed to meet together has been increased from five to 20, so long as people can keep at least 1 meter (3.3 feet) apart.
Sports teams can begin training
Schools will open Monday, but with modifications. It may not be possible for all students to be in school at the same time
Amusement parks, bars and clubs can reopen starting June 1 so long as social distancing rules are observed
Public events with up to 200 people will be allowed starting June 15
Solberg said that despite the positive news, people will still need to be patient and vigilant.
“I realize that many people are feeling impatient now, and that you may be able to come up with good reasons why ‘your’ activity or business in particular should be able to start up now,” Solberg said.
“But if we try to accommodate everyone’s wishes, we will open up too quickly and the spread of infection will increase again. In that case, we would have to close society down again, and that is not what we want to do.”
