Austria and Germany have announced plans to relax anti-Covid measures, weeks after pushing for mandatory vaccinations to prevent a surge in infections.
Although the unvaccinated will continue to face measures, the Germans have been promised a "day off" from March 20, while most measures will also be lifted in Austria, starting from March 5.
Despite this, the German chancellor still intends to make vaccination compulsory.
"The pandemic is not over", said the German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, after a summit with the 16 states of Germany. Although the legislation to make vaccination mandatory has been left in the hands of Parliament, Chancellor Scholz has said that this remains important especially for the coming autumn and winter.
At the beginning of this month, Austria passed the law that made vaccination against COVID-19 mandatory, becoming the first country in Europe to take such a decision. Despite this, no one will be punished if they break the law until March 16, while the government has until then to decide on his suspension.
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Switzerland lifts almost all COVID-19 measures from tomorrow
Much of Europe has already announced plans to ease restrictions on COVID-19, while infections are falling. Switzerland has announced that from February 17, no COVID certificates are needed to enter bars, restaurants or other indoor facilities.
The Netherlands will lift most measures by February 25, with bars returning to normal hours and masks no longer mandatory in most settings.
France has already lifted mask requirements outside and aims to lift the measure indoors by mid-March if conditions permit.
Norway lifted its latest measures on February 12, declaring that the coronavirus "is no longer a major health threat for most of us".
Most restrictions have been lifted in England and some measures remain in Scotland and Wales.
Germany's leaders agreed on Wednesday to a three-step plan, starting with an increase in the number of vaccinated and recovered people allowed to hold private meetings indoors.
From March 4, anyone who has been vaccinated or who has recovered from COVID-19 will be allowed into bars and hotels without a test, while unvaccinated people will be allowed to enter with a test.
Then, from March 20, most other restrictions will be lifted, apart from the rules on masks. Attendance at major outdoor events will increase from 10,000 to up to 25,000 (or 75% capacity) on 4 March, with the prospect of full stadiums on 20 March.
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Vaccination is about to come into effect in Austria, but few are taking it seriously
In Austria, only highly vulnerable settings, such as nursing homes and hospitals, will maintain COVID restrictions from March 5.
