Despite COVID-19 Concerns... Europe Removes Masks

Denmark, Norway, Finland Followed... Sweden Joins
UK Prime Minister Boris Also Considers Early End to Self-Quarantine

A pedestrian is walking in Denmark on the 1st (local time), where the mask-wearing mandate has been lifted.
[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cha Min-young] Despite warnings from the World Health Organization (WHO), many countries in Europe have abandoned COVID-19 regulations and adopted a 'coexistence policy.' Following Denmark, which took the lead, Norway, Finland, and now Sweden have announced their intentions to lift restrictions.

According to CNBC on the 11th, this week in Sweden, social distancing, the use of vaccine passports, and limits on gathering sizes were lifted. Free testing also ended on the 9th (local time). The Swedish government is considering reclassifying COVID-19 from April 1 as a 'disease that does not pose a threat to society or public health.' The government stated, "We believe the situation is stable enough to begin phased infection control measures," adding, "Vaccines are the most important weapon in the fight against COVID-19."

Norway also lifted many COVID-19 measures, including restrictions on alcohol sales and private gatherings, as of the 1st of this month. However, guidelines to maintain at least 1 meter distance from others remain in place. Masks must be worn when closer than this distance. Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin announced on the 2nd (local time) that "all restrictions implemented to curb the spread of the Omicron variant since early March will be lifted," and that "COVID-19 passports, which were given to vaccinated individuals or those with negative test results, will be officially discontinued."

The Danish government also declared in a statement last January that "COVID-19 should no longer be classified as a socially significant disease." Denmark became the first European Union (EU) country to abolish all COVID-19 regulations, including mandatory mask-wearing and health passes, starting from the 1st of this month.

However, global experts have expressed concerns that it is still too early for European countries to lift restrictions, as COVID-19 cases continue to rise. According to Johns Hopkins University, Norway recorded a record high of 26,109 new infections on the 8th (local time).

Fredrik Elgh, a professor of virology at Ume? University in Sweden, told foreign media, "We need a little more patience and should wait at least a few more weeks before lifting restrictions," adding, "We have enough economic capacity to continue testing," and emphasizing, "This disease still poses a significant burden on society." The WHO also urged governments to "use all tools available in the toolkit to protect their citizens."

Meanwhile, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced plans to end the self-isolation policy for patients who test positive for COVID-19 earlier than initially expected, as soon as this week.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.