Norway is beginning to ease its coronavirus restrictions, including lifting a ban on selling alcohol that was imposed over Easter, Prime Minister Erna Solberg announced on Tuesday.
Restaurants and other venues may start selling alcohol to customers who also order food until 10 pm starting Friday, Solberg said.
Sports and cultural events for children and youths may be attended by up to 50 people, 100 people if there is assigned seating, or even 600 if the event is taking place outside.
Test games are authorized among top sports leagues again, provided they take place outside.
"Thanks to the fact that people have been careful and contributed to infections not increasing over Easter, we can take the first step of the opening plan on Friday," said Solberg.
Rules eased nationwide
While nationwide rules were eased, there may still be stricter rules on local or regional level, Solberg said. Decisions on schools and kindergartens would for instance be taken locally due to different regional caseloads.
Norway has come relatively well through the pandemic compared to other European countries, but recently saw a surge in new infections, prompting stricter rules.
