The Norwegian government is once again postponing plans to ease the country's pandemic restrictions, citing concerns about the spread of the particularly contagious delta variant of the virus.

A new assessment will be made in mid-August on whether Norway can enter ”stage four” of the easing of restrictions. This is the final step in the reopening of Norway and means, among other things, that schools can return to mostly physical education and that sporting events can operate largely as usual.

Plans to ease restrictions were also postponed to early July.

”"There is a worrying development in several European countries due to the delta variant, even in countries with higher vaccination coverage than in Norway, such as the UK and the Netherlands," says Health Minister Bent Høie (H), and continues:

”There is uncertainty about how the delta variant will affect Norway in terms of the spread of infection and disease.”

The Minister of Health emphasizes that the infection will remain in society even if the majority of the population is vaccinated.

”"We will see vaccinated people both get sick and die from this virus. We as a society must be prepared for that," says Bent Høie.

”We do not and will never have a zero vision related to infection and risk in our society.”

Source: TT