Europe nears ‘ceasefire’ on Covid as countries relax restrictions

Europe is nearing a possible “ceasefire” on Covid-19, Hans Kluge, the World Health Organization’s director in Europe, said on Thursday.

Speaking at a news conference, Kluge said he foresees a “plausible endgame for the pandemic” in Europe, thanks to a congruence of three factors that offer countries a “singular opportunity to take control” of the spread of the virus.

Those factors, he explained, are a “seasonality pause as we move out of the winter,” the lower severity of illness from the highly transmissible omicron variant and a high degree of immune protection thanks both to strong vaccination rates in many countries and omicron’s profuse spread.

Combined, those conditions may make for a “ceasefire that could bring us enduring peace,” he said.

Kluge’s comments come as many European countries — including Denmark, Norway and Switzerland — have already started lifting Covid-related restrictions amid waning fears about omicron’s impact.

Kluge clarified that he was not suggesting the pandemic “is now all over.” Many European countries have recently seen record-high case rates, according to NBC News’ tally. Denmark recorded its highest-ever seven-day average on Monday; its current number, 44,488 cases, falls just shy of that. Switzerland, meanwhile, set a record on Wednesday with an average of 36,277 cases. And the Netherlands hit its largest average thus far on Friday, with 76,881 cases. Daily deaths in all three countries remain low, however, at an average of 19 in Denmark, 14 in Switzerland and nine in the Netherlands.

Kluge said a new equilibrium could be attainable if European countries continue to preserve immunity with vaccinations and booster shots to ensure the most vulnerable are protected, while also promoting “self-protecting behavior and individual responsibility.”

Last week, the Netherlands announced it would permit bars, restaurants, theaters and museums to reopen starting Jan. 26, for the first time since mid-December.

Then on Tuesday, leaders in Denmark announced the end of all restrictions there. Hours later, Norway lifted a number of its coronavirus measures, including a ban on serving alcohol after 11 p.m. and rules limiting private gatherings to a maximum of 10 people.

On Wednesday, the Czech Republic announced that Covid passes would no longer be required for entry to restaurants and other venues starting next week. Sweden and Switzerland joined the trend on Thursday, with Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson announcing it was “time to open up Sweden again.”

“While the pandemic is not over, it has entered an entirely new phase,” she said at a news conference.

Andersson said that starting Feb. 9, restaurants would no longer be subject to rules about capacity, social distancing or hours. Vaccination and masking requirements on public transportation will be eliminated, as will guidance to limit social contact.

Andersson urged employers who have staff working from home to “plan for a gradual return to the workplace.”