Europe is accelerating steps to roll back coronavirus restrictions as efforts to control the fast-spreading omicron variant have been largely futile.
Under pressure from a pandemic-weary public, politicians across the region are deeming many public-health measures increasingly unnecessary. Italy, Switzerland and Finland are set to join Denmark, Ireland and France in easing the bulk of restrictions on public life. Norway also relaxed most rules.
While the virus continues to spread rapidly across the continent — with more than 2.4 million cases over the past two days — the alert level has dropped. Health care systems are proving resilient because omicron causes milder symptoms and most people are protected by vaccines.
