On Thursday, the Norwegian government postponed the further reopening of the country until the proportion of fully vaccinated people is significantly higher. However, when the vaccination rates are high enough, Norway might skip step 4 and go back to normal.
“Even though we will remain in step 3, we are on our way to a normal everyday life with increased preparedness. When we get there, and when we gain better control over the situation in the schools, the assessment is that we can go straight there (note: to a more normal everyday life). In translation – there will be no step 4,” Prime Minister Erna Solberg (H) said at a press conference on Thursday.
“Further reopening now would increase the risk of more infection. We will not take that risk when there is so little time left until all adults have had the opportunity to protect themselves with vaccines. Therefore, we will remain in step 3 of the reopening plan until more people are fully vaccinated, and we can move on to a normal everyday life with increased preparedness,” Solberg said.
Expert recommendations
In its recommendation to the government, which the Norwegian Directorate of Health delivered on Wednesday this week, it is stated that the implementation of step four at the present time would probably lead to an increased spread of infection.
The Norwegian Directorate of Health stated that the overall goal now is to limit the spread of infection and keep the disease burden low until 90% of the population aged 18 and older have been vaccinated with two doses.
On Wednesday, 71.9% of the population over the age of 18 were fully vaccinated.
Source: © NTB Scanpix / #Norway Today / #NorwayTodayNews
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