Doors Ban: – The Nightmare

On Monday, city politician Athithan Kumarasamy (Labor Party) called for a curfew in Oslo, after seeing people, and especially children, up close at Liabakken in Vestli in the Stovner district.

He thinks the time has come to shut down completely for three weeks. Possibly introducing curfew only in highly infected districts, although it can be difficult.

– We are never done with these “little measures” all the time. So it is better to close completely for three weeks. I want a curfew after 5pm every day and a priority vaccination, he told Dagbladet on Monday.

Hours later, Councilman Raymond Johansen introduced the most intrusive measures in the capital to date. Visitors of more than two people are now not allowed and many students are required to home school.

Kumarasamy argues Tuesday that a curfew is the way to go.

– We’ll land a curfew. Just look at other countries. We create a lot of problems in society by taking this out and spending eternity, he says.

– It is not the solution

Stovner district committee leader Rashid Nawaz (Labor Party) is now attacking his party colleague.

– We do not recognize ourselves in the descriptions you give. Of course, you will be allowed to express your views, but locally in the district we have not talked about a curfew, he says.

It emphasizes that overcrowding is one of the most important causes of infection and that children and young people should be allowed to engage in outdoor activities.

– Liabakken referred to in Vestli is a collaboration between the sports team and the district, where we lend ski equipment so that children can practice alpine skiing without leaving the district. We are committed to protecting them.

I don’t want action: – Absurd

Nawaz notes that there are reports of more violence in the home and emphasizes that a curfew would make things worse for society.

– The curfew is not the solution. That is unfortunate. We need vaccines.

– Now there have been strict measures for a long time and the infection does not go down. What do you need?

In the past few weeks, we have delivered approximately 2,400 infection control packages with bandages and hand sanitizer to homes in Stovner. We conduct outreach work in the district for people to test themselves on mobile test stations. The challenge is that people live together. If we had more space, it would have helped. It is important to take care of young people when leisure activities are closed. Closing everything is the nightmare. I dare not think about the consequences of that, says the Labor politician.

– Now there are vaccinations that are needed. We are ready to vaccinate 4,000 a week, but vaccines are lacking.

367 new cases

– Skeptic

The curfew was in consultation in January, but in February it was decided not to take it further to the Storting. It was determined that it was not necessary.

– It has been debated and is the last help. Then it will take a lot. No, I am skeptical. It is important that we have local measures adapted to local conditions, says Nawaz.

In many countries in Europe, they have chosen to shut down completely to control the infection. Norway has chosen a TISK strategy and has focused on measures where the infection is highest.

At the same time, there is still talk that “we must close if we do not achieve control.”

Deputy Health Director Espen Nakstad still does not think it is relevant to have a curfew in Oslo.

– It was investigated and there was a big round of responses to inquiries a couple of months ago. The parliamentary majority did not want to go ahead and went into the drawer.

– But in Norway most people follow the rules well, so I think this will go well without us using pore bans in Norway, he says.

Increase in admissions: – Fear

– must look around

Athithan Kumarasamy tells Dagbladet to think about various aspects of this, and not just children and young people.

– If Rashid does not recognize himself in my statements, it is his problem. He, as the leader, must go out and look around. It is true that the district has not talked about it, because no one raised this issue. No one has suggested it before me. But I’m brave enough to suggest the idea, he says.

He believes that by not closing completely, a local problem is transmitted to the entire community.

– We must find simple, effective solutions that do not stop. Create a lot of problems. The vaccine alone will not solve the problem.