Norway Ends COVID Restrictions After Realizing It May Be The New Flu

The people of Norway decided that COVID may be a part of regular life going forward, which is why Prime Minister Erna Solberg declared an end to the virus' stranglehold on living.

As of Saturday, all COVID restrictions will be lifted in Norway — allowing indoor establishments to remain open, void of any time restrictions, mask mandates or vaccine passports.

Norway's decision to end restrictions comes only weeks after experiencing an all-time high in daily case numbers, which did not deter the Nordic country from trusting its vaccination and immunity numbers.

"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," declared Solberg, via Reuters.

Solberg championed the reopening based on the exceptional vaccination rates, and a realization that breakthrough cases may still ensue — a new reality that the people of Norway can adapt to.

The report notes that roughly "67 percent of the population is fully vaccinated," while an estimated 76 percent of people have received at least one dose of the vaccine.

"In short, we can now live as normal," added the PM, who learned to stop worrying and love a post-COVID society.

"Even though everyday life is now back to normal for most people, the pandemic is not over. People will still get sick and therefore it is important that everyone gets vaccinated."

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Alejandro Avila lives in Southern California and previously covered news for the LA Football Network. Jeopardy expert and grumpy sports fan. Known for having watched every movie and constant craving for dessert. @alejandroaveela (on X)