Lockdown eases as Horesca measures remain until 31 January

Tuesday's briefing revealed that certain restrictions will be lifted as of next week, as non-essential retail stores, fitness centres and salons will be permitted to open once again. However, in a continued blow to the Horesca sector, restaurants and cafés must remain closed, while the curfew remains - albeit pushed back from 9pm to 11pm. These measures will remain in place until 31 January.

Sporting activities may take place, with minister Dan Kersch expected to hold a briefing with further details on Thursday, while the cultural sector may reopen, including cinemas and theatres, although masks are mandatory for visitors.

However, personal gatherings are still limited to 2 guests per household, from the same household, and barrier gestures must be maintained where possible. Alcohol will still be prohibited in public spaces, and gatherings of more than 100 people are not permitted.

Despite this, schools will reopen for in-person teaching. Bettel said it was vital for schools to continue, in order to protect the hopes of the next generation. This week, the Minister of Education said invitations for testing had been distributed among pupils and teaching staff; however, when questioned on the number of students and teachers tested thus far, Lenert said she did not have figures to hand. It is thought a briefing will be held towards the end of the week with an update and potential strict measures in schools.

Overall, both Lenert and Bettel said the situation was showing signs of improvement, allowing for some measures to be lifted, while maintaining others. Lenert said personal gatherings were contributing to the majority of infections - a statement which has been repeated for some months now - and that the alcohol ban and curfew had contributed to reducing these. The virus presence in the Grand Duchy's wastewater had also decreased.

The ministers touched upon the topic of mental health, following reports that psychological and psychiatric services in the country had seen an uptick in patients due to the crisis. Lenert acknowledged the difficulties in finding a balance between preserving physical and mental health, and pointed out the support hotline had been reinstated some weeks ago as a result.

The Minister of Health added that a tough month lies ahead, as although the wave has been broken, it is not sufficiently reduced to return to normal at present. Above all, the situation appears to have improved in hospitals, with Covid hospitalisations dropping and a return to Phase 2 within sight. The vaccination campaign is somewhat less clear, although Bettel praised the EU and said the Grand Duchy would not have vaccines without it. Both ministers declined to comment on questions relating to the EU Commission and vaccine negotiations.

The briefing ended on a sobering note, as Lenert said she would not speculate on the future in terms of herd immunity, with too many unknown factors in play even with the vaccine rollout.