COVID in Europe: Norway partially lifts ban on serving alcohol as UK cuts self-isolation time
Europe is once again seeing a surge of COVID-19 cases — here is our summary of the measures being taken across the continent.
Several nations have been reporting record numbers of new daily cases, the increase compounded by the emergence of the new Omicron variant, first detected in South Africa.
Some countries have taken steps targeting the unvaccinated, while programmes are also being rolled out to vaccinate young children.
Norway's government said they would partially allow the sale of alcohol in bars and restaurants.
It came after the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (FHI) had said on Wednesday that the risks of hospitalisation related to Covid were 69% lower with the Omicron variant, which makes up a large majority of Norway's cases than the Delta variant.
In addition, the government eased quarantine rules, suggesting more testing for contacts of COVID-19 cases.
Wearing a mask remains mandatory in stores and shopping centres and it is recommended to avoid public transport at peak times with teleworking remaining the rule.
Norway has broken infection records almost daily, with 11,825 new cases reported on Wednesday.
Britain's Health Minister Sajid Javid announced on Thursday (January 13) that self-isolation for people who have tested positive for COVID-19 has been cut from seven days to five full days if they test negative twice during their quarantine. The measure aims to "maximise activity in the economy and education," he said.
It comes after the UK's death toll from COVID-19 passed 151,000 after a further 398 deaths were reported on Wednesday (January 12).
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said earlier that the country would "ride out" the Omicron wave, even as the UK reports more than 200,000 daily COVID-19
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