12 Countries End COVID Restrictions

As efforts to prevent the transmission of the virus have faltered and nations lower the threat presented by SARS-CoV-2, Europe is speeding plans to end the COVID regulations. Sweden and Switzerland have announced that they will lift COVID limitations and eventually open their nations, joining Denmark, Norway, Finland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Italy, Lithuania, France, and the United Kingdom.

Leading Israeli officials also stated this week that the country’s COVID vaccine passport, known as the “Green Pass,” will be phased out of restaurants, hotels, gyms, and cinemas.

Prime Minister Naftali Bennet’s cabinet said that the policy amendment will enter into force on February 6, awaiting approval by a legislative panel. For occasions including parties or weddings, Israel’s proof-of-vaccination regulation will stay in force.

“To continue the green pass in the same way can create false assurances,” said Nadav Davidovitch, an epidemiologist and public health physician advising Prime Minister Naftali Bennet’s government. “It’s not reducing infections in closed spaces like theatres. It needs to be used mainly for high-risk places like hospitals, elderly care homes, or events when you are eating and singing and dancing.”

Sweden’s government announced on Thursday that all COVID restrictions will be lifted by February 9th.

As per Politico, due to a greater awareness of the Omicron variant, which in itself is weaker and linked with fewer hospitalizations, the Swedish Public Health Agency reviewed COVID as “not being socially critical.”

“It’s time to open up Sweden,” said Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson. “The pandemic isn’t over, but it is moving into a new phase.”

Sweden’s resolution comes a day after Switzerland declared that, from today, compulsory work-from-home and isolation requirements will be abolished, citing excellent immunity rates and...

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