Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg has announced new restrictions on the coronavirus for the country, while trying to stop a third wave of cases.
Reuters rEPORTS the new restrictions include, at the national level, a ban on alcohol consumption in restaurants and bars, as well as a recommendation not to be invited.
“We are seeing more signs of a new wave of infections,” Solberg said during a news conference.
According to Reuters, Solberg said the Norwegians must put their social lives on hold for the next two weeks.
“Please do not have visitors at home. Wait a week before inviting anyone home or visiting others, ”she added.
These new restrictions come just a day after the country stopped university lectures and instructed students to stay home. Shops, kindergartens and elementary schools will remain open, Reuters notes.
On New Year’s Eve, the Norwegian government announced mandatory testing for passengers arrival in Norway, which must be made within 24 hours of arrival.
In the announcement, Solberg said: “We are now concerned about the import infection, as well as the new outbreaks with new mutant versions of the virus. In addition, we are concerned that many will return to Norway after Christmas from countries with high levels of infection. . “
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Norway has so far confirmed 48,278 cases of coronavirus and 436 deaths. On December 29, the country broke the record for one-day cases, reporting 2,125 coronavirus infections.
“The government has been forced to make decisions very quickly,” Solberg said in his New Year’s speech, reflecting back to 2020. “Often in situations of uncertainty. We did not succeed at the first attempt. But we revised decisions to incorporate what we learn along the way. “
Norwegian Health Minister Bent Hoeie said in early December that the country plans to use vaccines from Moderna, AstraZeneca and Pfizer and BioNTech in the first quarter of 2021. Norway is trying to immunize a quarter of its population in the first three months of 2021.