Restrictions on public event, restaurant, bar to ease from Feb 14

The government on Wednesday decided to ease the restrictions on restaurants and bars from 14 February, said an official press release.

The government at a meeting reviewed the coronavirus situation of the country and decided that the on going restrictions will be lifted gradually.

According to the decision, as of 14 February, restaurants can serve alcoholic beverages until 23.00 and remain open until midnight.

This applies to both restaurants and businesses that primarily serve alcoholic beverages.

If the situation continues to develop favourably and there is not risk of exceeding the capacity of the healthcare system, the restrictions on restaurant operations could be lifted completely as of 1 March for all food and beverage service businesses.

The meeting Government also decided on preparations for updating the COVID-19 passport.

The number of COVID-19 infections nationwide remains high, but the number of cases requiring intensive care has decreased considerably. Some regions have already reached the peak of this wave of the epidemic, and the burden on the healthcare system has evened out or begun to ease, the meeting observed.

The epidemiological situation continues to vary from region to region, and in some regions the situation may still become more difficult.

The government recommended that all restrictions on the number of participants and the amount of customer seating at public events and in leisure activities in the cultural, sports and event sectors be lifted as of 14 February.

The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health is drawing up a circular on these recommendations for the competent regional authorities.

The government received an update on the preparations for changes to the COVID-19 passport The Government decided to continue drafting legislation on the expansion and independent use of the COVID-19 passport so that the passport could be quickly reintroduced if the epidemiological situation deteriorates due to a new virus variant, for example.

Use of the COVID-19 passport in its current form will continue to be suspended until 15 February.

The Ministerial Working Group on COVID-19 will continue its discussion on resuming the use of the COVID-19 passport in its current form. The EU COVID-19 vaccination passport continues to be in use for travel as usual.