Norway will extend a number of measures introduced to stem the coronavirus pandemic, including a national ban against alcohol sales, Prime Minister Erna Solberg told parliament on Monday.
Solberg cited the "uncertainty" linked to infection rates as a reason for extending the January 4 alcohol sales ban until next week, when a new assessment would be made.
As of Monday, travellers were to be tested at its borders - or undergo a coronavirus test within 24 hours of arrival.
An exemption would apply at the southern Svinesund border crossing to Sweden, where capacity needed to be built up, Solberg said.
Citizens were also advised to continue to limit their social contacts to at most five people outside of their own household, and preferably meet other people outdoors.
"People must be prepared to live with different degrees of infection controls until the summer, perhaps even longer," she cautioned.
Pandemic policy
The moves were announced in Solberg's statement to parliament on the government's pandemic policy.
Norway has had relatively low infection rates compared to many other countries in Europe but the situation can swiftly change, the prime minister said.
Should Norwegian infection rates spin out of control, the government was also prepared to introduce a curfew, Solberg said.
The government meanwhile said it would ease some restrictions for children and youth, allowing sports and leisure activities - both indoors and outdoors.
Norway, a country of 5.3 million, has recorded about 58,000 coronavirus cases and 517 virus-related deaths.
