Norway will allow restaurants and bars to serve alcohol as part of a gradual lifting of corona restrictions, according to the government.
But Oslo residents will have to wait with their beer until the infection situation improves.
”"We are starting the reopening of Norway this week," says Prime Minister Erna Solberg (H), who herself was fined 20,000 kronor last week for a sports break dinner with more participants than allowed.
The restrictions will be eased on Friday. But this only applies to parts of Norway with low infection rates. In parts of the country with high infection rates, municipalities have the option to introduce stricter rules than the national ones.
In areas such as Oslo and Viken, where about a fifth of Norway's population lives, tougher measures will apply than in other parts of the country. The current restrictions, which include a ban on receiving more than two people at a time in your home, will be extended for at least two weeks.
Gyms, cinemas, theatres and most shops remain closed, and there is a ban on serving alcohol. However, some relaxations are being introduced for children and young people. As of Monday, all schoolchildren will be allowed to go back to school, says the chairman of the municipal board, Raymond Johansen (AP).
According to Erna Solberg, it will be a while before Oslo residents can have a beer at the pub.
”"We need to see much lower infection rates before it becomes relevant to reopen in Oslo," she says, according to NRK.
Elsewhere, however, restaurants and bars can serve alcohol until 10 p.m. starting Friday, as long as they also serve food.
