The current set of covid-19 laws expires on 12 June and prime minister Xavier Bettel (DP) and Paulette Lenert (LSAP) on Wednesday presented the next set of rules, which promise significant steps towards more normality.
“We see that the situation is substantially better,” Bettel said about the current rate of infections. However, he warned that the pandemic isn’t over yet. “There are many unknowns around variants, and many people haven’t been vaccinated.”
Still, the nightly curfew will be lifted, as will a ban on drinking alcohol in public. A rule that shops can only accommodate one person per 10m2 will be lifted and people will be able to consume food and drink inside shopping malls.
A current limit of four people that can visit a household will be lifted to ten guests, with Lenert recommending that people take a quick test before they get together as private contexts remain the biggest source of infections.
Restaurants can return to their regular opening hours and welcome tables of up to ten people on their terraces.
Luxembourg will also launch a covid check system that will allow indoor activities to resume under new conditions.
Covid check system
People who have been vaccinated, issued a PCR or certified antigen test result or are considered recovered from a coronavirus infection will be issued a QR code, which venues can scan. This will allow for looser rules for indoor dining or at events.
For example, restaurants can choose to limit indoor dining to tables of up to four people without the need for a covid check. But they can resume indoor service without limitations if they ensure that all diners meet one of the three covid check requirements or have taken a self-test upon arrival.
The system to issue certificates will be fine-tuned over the coming weeks to be ready when the new laws come into force. People will be considered cured 11 days after a positive PCR test and for a period of six months. For vaccines, there are different scenarios. For two-shot vaccines, people will be considered vaccinated the day of their second jab. With a one-shot jab, there is a 14-day waiting period. People who had covid-19 are considered vaccinated 14 days after the first jab of a two-shot vaccine.
The validity of certified antigen tests will be increased from 24 to 48 hours.
Events of up to ten people will be able to proceed without specific rules. For events of ten to 50 people, participants will have to wear masks and distance unless everyone passes a covid check. For events of up to 300 people, guests will have to be seated, with masks and distancing, unless participants meet covid check criteria.
Events of more than 300 people must coordinate a safety concept with the health ministry. The covid check will also allow for food and drink to be served at events.
“We are happy to make these announcements,” said Lenert, but added: “We rely on everyone.”
Forging certificates or foregoing rules in place will be punishable by law, she said. Bettel appealed that violations could contribute to a surge in infections. “It would be a shame if we shot ourselves in the foot,” he said about a risk of Luxembourg moving back into more restrictive scenarios should coronavirus cases rise again.
"If we want to make this a success, we must take the rules seriously," Lenert said. "It's our ambition to go in the direction of normality with big steps.”
Masks will remain mandatory inside school buildings but can be removed in school playgrounds under the new rules, Bettel said. These will be in place until 15 July once they are approved by parliament.
The Indian variant of the coronavirus remains cause for concern, Lenert said, adding that its progress in Luxembourg is closely being monitored. "We don't know 100% what it has in store,” she said.
As a result, testing at hospitals, care homes and other healthcare facilities will be tightened to protect vulnerable residents.
Fewer vaccine doses than expected
Phase six of the vaccination campaign has just reached people under the age of 40, Bettel said, but warned that deliveries over the coming weeks will be smaller than expected.
Up to 55,000 fewer people will be able to get vaccinated over the coming month than previously thought, Bettel said. Expected deliveries include 132,210 doses from Pfizer/Biontech by the end of June, 30,200 AstraZeneca doses by 20 June and 36,000 Moderna doses by 15 July.
Taking into consideration that younger age groups have not yet had the possibility to get vaccinated, the individuals concerned will be issued one free testing voucher before the summer holiday, Bettel said.
Around 4,500 people who signed up to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine are still waiting for their invitation. Talks will continue next week whether to allow people below the age of 30 to sign up for this list.
Opening up vaccinations to 12 to 16-year-olds with the Pfizer/Biontech vaccine, as authorised by the European Medicines Agency last week, will also be discussed, together with possibly giving priority access to vulnerable groups, such as teachers, as demanded by civil service unions.