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It is not yet clear how the infection got on board the bus. One of the theories is that a person without symptoms may have infected others.
However, the Municipal Supervisor of Sandnes praises the management of the company.
On Tuesday, news came that 31 of the 40 retirees have been diagnosed with Covid-19 after a bus trip in southern Norway. Most of those infected are from Nord-Jæren.
On Wednesday Hans Petter Torvik, Sandnes municipal chief physician, confirmed which bus company organized the trip. NRK knows the name of the company. 40 people were present, not 41, as was first announced.
The general director of the bus company does not want to comment on the matter to NRK, and refers to the municipal superior of Sandnes.
– I can confirm that they have complied with the infection control rules, says Torvik.
– They got on
The bus has 55 seats. In the travel group of 40, couples sat together and singles alone.
– Are the infection control rules good enough, when apparently this can happen when the rules are followed?
– It is clear that one may wonder if the guidelines at the national level should be stricter than they are at the moment, says Torvik.
People should think carefully before embarking on such a bus trip at this time, he advises.
Torvik also emphasizes that the company reacted correctly when the infection became known and immediately contacted the Stavanger municipality to conduct the test.
– That they got on and were able to test everyone on the bus, without anyone getting off, meant they probably prevented a much larger outbreak, says the municipal superintendent.
Be a passenger
Ingrid Strand Bøe from Stavanger was traveling. She already had good experiences with the organizer.
Strand Bøe believes that it is good to be able to travel in Norway when now you cannot leave the country’s borders. Before the trip, I considered it safe to travel.
– I just have to say that I didn’t think much about it. If the authorities allow round trips in Norway, then it must be fine to travel. If traveling on such trips is dangerous, it should be banned, he says.
Consequences along the tour route
The trip began on Tuesday, September 15. The tour group has visited six accommodation locations on the journey through eastern Norway, Dovre and western Norway.
Thon Hotel Sandven in Nordheimsund on Kvam herad was one of six lodgings on the route.
– We have contacted the municipal chief and agreed that those who have been in contact with these guests will be quarantined, says the hotel manager, Arnstein Birkeland.
So far, this applies to six employees, but the hotel will investigate whether more may have had contact with the bus company.
Åkrafjordtunet closed
Retirees also visited Åkrafjordtunet on Etne. Passengers stayed in the cafe between 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. on Monday. Until further notice, the cafe is closed and the facilities are being washed.
The municipality of Etne now encourages people who were in the cafeteria or shop during this time to get in touch.
Employees who were at work that day have been quarantined, Åkrafjordtunet writes on his Facebook pages.
Etne Mayor Mette Heidi Bergsvåg says the municipality is working on detecting infections.
– Åkrafjordtunet is located along the E134 which is a heavily trafficked European road between Haugesund and Oslo. It is a popular place to stop for a meal and buy locally sourced food. It’s clear that many may have stopped over whom we have no control, he says.
