People queue with social distancing outside the liquor store in Sandvika outside Oslo, Norway January 23, 2021 as all liquor store where closed in Osl

Norway to end coronavirus-related restrictions on Saturday

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2021-09-26 07:30:04

People queue with social distancing outside the liquor store in Sandvika outside Oslo, Norway January 23, 2021 as all liquor store where closed in Oslo after the discovery of the British coronavirus variant in a retirement home near the city. NTB/Oern E. Borgen via REUTERS

OSLO, Sept 24 (Reuters) - Norway will reopen society on Saturday, the government said, ending its coronavirus-curbing restrictions, which have limited social interaction and hobbled many businesses.

The Nordic nation joins a small but growing number of countries, including Denmark and Britain, which have removed all domestic restrictions limiting the spread of the coronavirus.

"It is 561 days since we introduced the toughest measures in Norway in peacetime ... Now the time has come to return to a normal daily life," Prime Minister Erna Solberg told a news conference.

The decision to no longer require social distancing will allow culture and sports venues to utilise their full capacity, rather than just a portion of seats, while restaurants can fill up and nightclubs reopen.