Adjust hotel quarantine rules from Sunday afternoon – NRK Norway – Summary of news from different parts of the country

Justice and Emergency Management Minister Monica Mæland (H) tells NRK that the most important thing with the quarantine rules is that people coming to Norway from a red country must remain in quarantine for ten days.

– The main rule is that it should be done in a hotel, but if you own or rent a house, or have another suitable place, then you can quarantine there, says Mæland.

For the site to be considered “suitable”, it must have:

• Enerom
• Access to separate bathroom
• Access to own kitchen or meal service

The adjustment is made retroactively. This means that those who are already in a quarantined hotel, but meet the requirements for a suitable location, can leave the quarantined hotel and perform the rest of the quarantine elsewhere starting at 5pm.

The reason is that you should avoid close contact with other people during the ten days that you have to be in quarantine.

• People from the same household traveling to Norway together can be quarantined in the same place of residence.
• Those who are going to be quarantined in a place other than a hotel must sign a form confirming that the quarantine is “adequate”.
• Failure to comply with quarantine rules runs the risk of a fine

Mæland says the reason the changes are happening now is that the government has gained experience in recent weeks.

– A good number have criticized because they have had a suitable place to stay, a cabin or an apartment in the basement, and then we make the necessary adjustments now, so that those who can avoid hotels but have good enough places to stay, can use them.

The minister says she understands the criticism that has come to her, in part because it has been demanding and intrusive measures.

– But it was absolutely necessary. We had to do it quickly and in a way that affected as many people as possible. Now we are making some adjustments, says Mæland.

She says that you have to cover several queues at airports, among other places, especially the first 24 hours. Those arriving in Norway today will have finished their quarantine on Christmas Eve. If the quarantine begins at 5:00 p.m. on Monday, the quarantine will end in time to hear the Silver Boys sing Christmas into Christmas Eve.

Controversial quarantine hotel

The rules for quarantined hotels have set minds on fire. Several have questioned whether the rules have been too strict.

Until now, everyone who does not reside in Norway, or has a home in Norway, has had to spend time in quarantine in hotels, with a few exceptions.

Among other things, this has led to Norwegians who are registered in other countries not being allowed to be quarantined in an apartment they rent in Norway.

The Ministry of Justice now allows both Norwegians and other visitors to quarantine outside hotels, provided they have a location that meets infection control requirements.

The main rule will remain that those arriving in Norway from red countries will have to stay in quarantined hotels.

Chaos and crowded hotels

On Friday, there were chaotic conditions at Oslo’s Gardermoen Airport, with many visitors arriving at quarantined hotels at the same time.

This led to many hours of waiting, overcrowded quarantined hotels, and instances of strangers having to share the same room.

– That people who are not in the same cohort were placed in the same hotel room is an error that should not occur. It seems a misunderstanding that they were in a cohort. They are now in individual rooms. But of course, it shouldn’t have happened, says Gunnhild Grimstad-Kirkeby, municipal director in the NRK’s ​​Ullensaker Township.

She says people are on file in case the spread of infection needs to be traced. According to the municipal director, it was about ten people who did not receive a good housing offer on Friday.

– Extraordinary situation

Grimstad-Kirkeby was what happened with an “extraordinary situation” with more travelers than before.

– We do not know how many people will be in quarantined hotels before they cross the border, and we were not sized for such a large number. But when we saw this, we sent them to Oslo.

– Shouldn’t you know that most of the people who are going to be quarantined come this weekend, 10-12 days before Christmas Eve?

– We do not obtain information on the number of travelers. We expected an increase and we dimensioned it, among other things, by making an agreement with Oslo on their replacement, but we cannot predict the number.

– Can you guarantee that there will be no problems in the future?

– We work continuously to receive everyone in a good and responsible way, responds the municipal director.

– fool

Irene Fjøsne Tausvik landed at Gardermoen on Saturday.

– There were many desperate people, who did not know where they were going to be sent. Long lines and a long wait time, he tells NRK.

Tausvik works in London and is registered in England. This means that she cannot go straight home to the empty apartment in her parents’ basement waiting for her. Instead, he’s in a quarantine hotel at the airport.

– I think it’s silly. If there are going to be any exceptions, it should be based on something other than whether you own or rent. I hope the rules are moved to a suitable place, separate from the house, says Tausvik.

Mæland has received the criticism and gives the following comment:

– It must be safe to stay in quarantined hotels. You must make sure that you do not infect others and that you will not become infected yourself if you can avoid it. Then something goes wrong like I said. I think we have to live with it, but at least it has been cleaned up and it’s fine.