It's been almost two years since the coronavirus hit and the world went under lockdown. Since 2020, people have been fighting coronavirus by following covid norms like social distancing, wearing masks, etc. The pandemic seems endless, however, people still hope and pray for a normal life.
Vaccination is considered the main key to fight pandemic and several countries have already begun heading towards normalcy. Here’s the list of countries who have made considerable relaxations in covid induced restrictions and are moving closer to normal life.
Singapore
Where many countries have tightened the restrictions, Singapore has laid out a new vision for life to return to normal. As per the latest media reports, Singapore will now scrap lockdowns and mass contact tracing. Not only this, there would be quarantine free travel and resumptions of large gatherings, and the country will stop counting its daily covid cases.
Singapore Trade Minister Gan Kim Yong, Finance Minister Lawrence Wong and Health Minister Ong Ye Kung justified the countries unique take on coronavirus and said, “The bad news is that Covid-19 may never go away. The good news is that it is possible to live normally with it in our midst. We can turn the pandemic into something much less threatening, like influenza, hand, foot and mouth disease, or chickenpox, and get on with our lives."
However, the vaccination drive will continue in the country as vaccines have been found effective in reducing the disease.
Also Read: Explained: How Pfizer, Moderna generates lasting immunity
USA
The country was facing similar devastation which India faced during the second wave of coronavirus pandemic. However, now USA has removed the mandatory face mask rule for people who are fully vaccinated. With this, the country has taken a huge step towards normal life.
Now, Americans who have administered both jabs can roam outside without masks. However, the masks are necessary for crowd gatherings.
Israel
In April, Israel became the first country to declare itself COVID-free, removing the requirement for wearing a face mask. The country has vaccinated around 70 percent of its population and since April 24, no new coronavirus cases have been reported.
New Zealand
The New Zealand Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardren received appreciation from all across the world for quick response to the coronavirus pandemic. With appropriate and right measures, New Zealand was declared a covid free and mask-free nation.
China
The country from where it all started, has now become a mask-free nation. With stringent covid restrictions and an effective health system, one of the worst-hit countries became one of the countries heading back to normalcy.