After more than a year and a half of corona measures, Norwegians were able to drop the one-meter of distance rule – and most other measures – on Saturday afternoon.
On Saturday at 4 PM, Norway reopened – just like Prime Minister Erna Solberg promised. The reopening means that the one-meter rule no longer applies, that there are no national limits for table service and no admission stops at nightclubs, and that multiple restrictions on events have been lifted.
Ready for parties
At Karl Johan Gate in Oslo, there was a joint countdown in the street below Freiauret the last 10 seconds before 4 PM. Minister of Culture Abid Raja congratulated the country’s population on the day.
“Let us enjoy cultural life and nightlife. I will return to Oslo at midnight and, as the government’s +dance minister’, would like to dance with you tonight. Where should I go? Do you have any tips? Are you coming? Let’s dance together all over Norway,” he wrote on Twitter.
In Bergen, former mayor Trude Drevland was in place at Skau bar to cut the cord and unofficially reopened Bergen when the clock struck 4 PM, according to the newspaper Bergens Tidende.
In Stavanger, there was a full reopening party with a dance floor in Fargegata, a concert and fireworks at Torget, and a party at Tou Scene, the newspaper Aftenbladet writes.
The people of Trøndelag were also ready for a party. Restaurant manager Amanda Selven at San Sebastian told the newspaper Adressa that she is looking forward to it.
“We have been waiting for this for a long time, and finally, we can double the number of guests in the room… Now we are ready for a wild night,” she said.
Relaxation of travel rules
In addition to the relief in various domestic restrictions, the entry rules will also be relaxed on Saturday afternoon.
Entry restrictions from the EU/Schengen, the UK, and so-called “purple” countries have been lifted. Travelers from “orange” areas and children under the age of 18 must no longer go to entry quarantine.
Furthermore, quarantine hotels are removed as a requirement but will be maintained as an offer for those who do not have a suitable quarantine location.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will not extend its travel advice against all travel that is not strictly necessary to countries outside the EU/EEA, UK, and Switzerland after October 1.
Remaining rules
Despite the overall relief in society, there will still be a requirement to isolate oneself if one has COVID-19, and the traffic light model (green-yellow-red) will be used in very special cases in schools and kindergartens, according to local decisions.
People who get symptoms of respiratory infection should still get tested. This also applies to vaccinated people.
“We also keep in place the advice we have become so well acquainted with: washing hands often, coughing in a handkerchief or the corner of the elbow, and staying at home if you’re are sick,” Solberg said.
Source: © NTB Scanpix / #Norway Today / #NorwayTodayNews
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