The Norwegian government has confirmed a third coronavirus vaccine dose will be offered to everyone over the age of 18 and Covid passports will be introduced in many public venues. The Nordic country removed all restrictions at the end of September but has made a U-turn following a surge in infections and hospitalisations.
The announcement comes as a new partial lockdown is expected to be announced in The Netherlands.
The move to offer a booster jab in Norway comes despite 87 percent of adults having received both doses, while 70 percent of the total population has been inoculated.
Speaking on Friday afternoon. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said: “We are therefore planning for the rest of the population to be offered a third dose next year.
“It will contribute to the individual being well protected against the virus and also avoid a great burden on society and working life.”
He added: “The information we have is that dose two provides good protection, but that it has a tapering effect.
“Therefore, based on the advice we have received from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, we believe that there is a basis for asking them to prepare a third vaccine dose.”
Norway is currently reporting around 1,500 new Covid infections per day.
The number of deaths remains relatively low, with an average of four deaths per day this week.
Prime Minister Mark Rutte is set to address the nation on Friday evening following an alarming rise in Covid cases.
Bars and restaurants are expected to be told to close early for the next three weeks.
People will be urged to work from home where possible and sports events will be held without spectators, according to reports.
The latest figures showed new infections topped 16,000 for the second successive day on Friday – beating the previous record of just under 12,000 recorded in December 2020.