COVID-19 restrictions are set to end in Iceland as curbs wind down in Poland, Slovakia and Italy while authorities in Hong Kong plan compulsory testing for everyone in the territory.
The government of Iceland on Wednesday announced that it would be lifting all its remaining COVID-19 restrictions from Friday.
“We are getting our normal lives back,” Prime Minister Katrin Jakobsdottir told journalists.
“Widespread societal resistance to COVID-19 is the main route out of the epidemic,” the health ministry said in a statement, citing infectious disease authorities.
“To achieve this, as many people as possible need to be infected with the virus as the vaccines are not enough, even though they provide good protection against serious illness,” it added.
Similarly, Poland’s government will lift most restrictions from March 1.
The Italian government will end the COVID-19 state of emergency on March 31, Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi said on Wednesday, promising a gradual return to normal after more than two years of the health crisis.
“We will continue to closely monitor the pandemic situation, ready to intervene in case of an outbreak. But our goal is to reopen fully, as soon as possible,” Draghi said in a speech in Florence.
The so-called enhanced green health pass, which shows proof of vaccination or recent recovery and is needed to access many places, will be progressively phased out, starting with outdoor activities, Draghi said.
The government of Slovakia also announced a further easing of curbs, meaning that almost all measures will be lifted in the country from Saturday.
However, Hong Kong authorities have announced the toughest social restrictions since the pandemic began to combat the surge and as the city prepares for compulsory testing of residents.
From Thursday residents will have to show their vaccine records to access venues including supermarkets, malls and restaurants, wear masks for all outdoor exercise and they will not be allowed to remove masks to eat or drink on public transport.
Hong Kong is pursuing a “dynamic zero COVID” strategy similar to mainland China, aiming to eradicate any outbreaks at all costs instead of trying to live with the virus.
Source: AAP
