At a press conference on Wednesday afternoon, Luxembourg's Prime Minister Xavier Bettel and the Minister of Health Paulette Lenert announced a further easing of COVID-19 restrictions.

As coronavirus infection numbers remain high but stable, and with the vaccine rollout already having a visible impact on the number of infections and hospital admissions, the government has decided to lift certain restrictions, particularly in the hospitality sector.

The following measures are expected to come into place on 16 May (subject to approval by the Chamber of Deputies) and to remain in effect until 12 June 2021:

  • Households can invite a maximum of four rather than two guests, who do not need to be from the same household; more than four people from the same household (i.e. entire families) may be invited;
  • Restaurants can also welcome four instead of two guests at a table;
  • Indoor dining / seating is once again permitted, although a negative test result is required in order to be served inside a restaurant or cafe. Around 500,000 rapid anitgen tests will be distributed to the sector in a first phase;
  • Closing time for restaurants has been extended until 22:00 (instead of 18:00);
  • Curfew will begin at midnight instead of 23:00 (i.e. 00:00 - 06:00);
  • A maximum of 150 guests (rather than 100) will be allowed to attend events, although some pilot projects led by the Minisitry of Health may welcome up to 1,000 people. This applies also to the sports (i.e. spectators once again allowed) and cultural sectors.

In addition, restrictions will be lifted for young sportspeople and up to 40 musicians will be allowed to perform together outdoors (provided they respect 2 metre-social distancing rules).

Both the Prime Minister and Minister of Health emphasised that vaccination was clearly playing an important role in bringing us closer to normality. Around 58,000 vaccinations (first and second doses) are scheduled to take place over the next nine days, with over 155,000 more people expected to receive the jab over the next six to eight weeks, depending on deliveries. At present, the participation rate stands at 76%.

In addition, around 20,100 people have now registered on the waiting list for leftover vaccine doses. The Prime Minister noted that there had been no leftover doses in the past week, although this may change in the coming weeks. The goal remains to not waste a single dose.

Whilst the virus remains present, the Prime Minister noted that the situation in Luxembourg's hospitals remained manageable, thus allowing the government to take cautious measures to gradually reopen the economy. He recalled that it was still too early to open up everything since the crisis is not yet over, adding that masks and tests remain an everyday reality.

Health Minister Paulette Lenert emphasised that vaccination was having a clear impact on the situation, with fewer older and vulnerable people than younger people getting infected and / or being admitted to hospital. She warned, however, that the risk of infection remains even after vaccination. Protective measures, particularly keeping one's distance, thus remain necessary.

On the subject of rapid antigen tests, Minister Paulette Lenert recalled that no test result is 100% certain, although a false negative result was much more likely than a false positive. She asked the public to remain vigilant, reduce their social contacts and to consult their doctor and take a PCR test if they develop symptoms, regardless of a negative rapid test result.

Due to a drop in the number of visits, COVID-19 Consultation Centres will close from 17 May 2021, after which anyone displaying symptoms should consult their GP. 

The Health Minister added that certified rapid tests can soon be carried out by qualified personnel in pharmacies.

Minister Paulette Lenert concluded that the goal was to take cautious steps forward so as not to have to take a step back.