Christmas, Bent Høie | Høie suggests an alternative Christmas: gather the extended family around the fire

The authorities have set a maximum limit of ten guests meeting twice during Christmas. For many, traditional family parties with many guests fail.

But don’t stay inside when all hope is gone, as it’s called. Because if you can’t reunite the extended family at home, then you can reunite outdoors, Høie confirms.

– It’s absolutely true. It is a very good idea that one can find new Christmas traditions or new ways of caring for traditions, for example, meeting outside, lighting a fire. So you can be a few more, but with a greater distance, says Høie.

More air and distance

He and health director Bjørn Guldvog both note that the risk of infection outdoors is lower. But if you take the Christmas party in the woods or the toboggan run, if the snow comes, you still have to think about infection control, the two emphasize.

– The purpose of being outside is that it is easier to keep the distance, that the same things are assumed to a lesser extent, many times there is less time together and that there is more air, says the Minister of Health.

– If they sit together and send the glass of beer around the fire, then there is no point in meeting outside, he adds.

A Christmas bonfire may be the solution. – It is a very good idea that one can find new Christmas traditions or new ways to preserve traditions, says Health Minister Bent Høie. Illustration photography: Gorm Kallestad / NTB

– Be wise!

The health director confirms that there is no limit to the number of people who can meet outdoors. He cautions against looking for opportunities to gather as many as possible:

– But if you keep your distance and follow infection control advice, it’s safer than meeting indoors, says Guldvog.

– You must be wise. It is the case that the more people there are, the less likely it is that you can keep your distance. The purpose of the rule should not be challenged, Høie emphasizes.