Sweden announced the end of Covid restrictions, joining other European countries

On Thursday, Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson of Sweden announced that the government would lift most of the Covid restrictions next week, joining a growing list of European countries, including Denmark and Norway, who are scrapping pandemic protocols even as cases across the continent soar.

Starting February 9, there will be no limit to the number of people who can gather at restaurants, sports stadiums and other events, said Lena Hallengren, Minister of Health and Social Affairs . People will no longer have to work from home. And travel restrictions on visitors from other Nordic countries will be eased.

“The pandemic isn’t over yet, but we’re entering a new phase,” Andersson told a news conference on Thursday, pointing to new research showing that hospitals are under less strain from Covid patients, even if Omicron is highly transmissible. Variations are leading record cases in the country.

Special recommendations, such as avoiding indoor events, will still apply to unvaccinated people, Ms. Andersson said.

The news comes as Denmark and Norway announce that they are relaxing their pandemic rules. Nightclubs in Denmark are reopening and the government says they are no longer considering Covid One “socially dangerous disease. In Norway, testing requirements for fully vaccinated travelers are being abolished. And Finland has said that it will lift all remaining restrictions this month.