The government is further tightening the entry rules – NRK Norway – Summary of news from different parts of the country

This was stated by Prime Minister Erna Solberg (H) at a press conference on Wednesday night.

– We see that the mutated virus has spread significantly in many countries that have not monitored the spread to the same extent as we have, says Solberg.

In practice, the border is closed to everyone who does not live in Norway, he says.

However, there are some exceptions:

• People who deal with socially critical functions.
• Transport of goods and passengers.
• Health workers from Sweden and Finland working in the Norwegian health and care service.
• People who are going to spend time with the children.
• People who have very special reasons for coming to Norway.

According to Solberg, this ensures that critical goods and services reach Norway, but this means that many hardworking immigrants cannot come in the next few weeks.

NHO: Withstands two weeks with a closed edge

Ole Erik Almlid, NHO CEO, says the situation is dire, but Norwegian companies and industry will endure two weeks with closed borders.

– Our company’s feedback is that if it takes longer than that, then it is serious. We depend on manpower to keep many industries running. We also need to hire staff to maintain and operate the equipment, says Almlid.

New assessment in two weeks

The new rules apply from midnight through Friday. The government will reassess the travel restrictions in two weeks.

Due to fear of spreading the mutated virus that was first discovered in the UK, very strict measures have been introduced in 25 municipalities in eastern Norway. A new evaluation of the measures will be carried out before January 31, according to the prime minister.

– We see that the measures we have introduced have worked so far, and now the entry restrictions will involve stricter control, testing and quarantine. We also see that national measures have worked. The R number is now estimated at 0.6 and the infection has been reduced by 53 percent, it continues.

Unclear situation in Europe

The new measures are in line with the advice of the Norwegian Health Directorate.

– The infection situation in Europe is very confusing. It is not known where the mutated viruses are found. Control at the border has been good lately, but you can never make a completely waterproof system. These measures will close the last gaps, says NRK deputy health director Espen Rostrup Nakstad.

The government has received much criticism

In recent days, the government has had to endure criticism from the opposition for doing little to prevent contagion from imports.

– Unfortunately, this was necessary. We have long called for stricter controls. In the last few days, we have seen that we have no control. The control system does not work, and so you have to have measures as strong as today, says Labor leader Jonas Gahr Støre.

– The infection goes down because the Norwegians take on that burden. Children do not go to training, and here in the eastern region are the most intrusive measures. This puts people under great pressure, and then it has been completely unbearable to watch the infection cross borders, it continues.

He believes that many of the strict measures within Norway could have been avoided if the border controls had been better.

It is supported by Sylvi Listhaug from FRP.

– This is the moment. When those of us who live in this country have been sitting in the central office for almost a year, the children partly go to school and the elderly feel isolated. So you can’t sit back and watch thousands and thousands cross the border without being in control, he says.

– Unnecessary to travel abroad on vacation

However, the prime minister firmly pointed out to Norwegians that they still choose to go abroad on vacation.

– To the Norwegians who have thought that up to now it was okay to go on vacation abroad, I want to say that it is no longer okay. You don’t need to go on vacation abroad, even if you are later quarantined. Now I think we should all show solidarity, Solberg said.

Labor immigrants have been largely blamed for the infection of imports. Solberg blames some of the Norwegians who travel on vacation and students.

– We probably have an import infection that we shouldn’t have had. Some come from working immigrants, but also from Norwegians who have been traveling and students who returned home for Christmas. If all of these had followed the rules, we would not have had an infection, Solberg explains to NRK.

Several border crossings closed

From before, there is a requirement that everyone coming to Norway from red countries must register and prove themselves at the border.

All arrivals must be quarantined for ten days. It is possible to quarantine after day seven at the earliest if the passenger tests negative for COVID-19 twice after arrival.

Several smaller border crossings into Norway are physically blocked.