Facilitates the World Cup in Norway – VG

Abid Raja held a press conference at 12. The government opens for the World Cup in Norway. Thus, he is heading towards the jump in Lillehammer in February.

To this day, it would not have been possible to say yes if the events took place tomorrow. But we do not know what the situation will be in three weeks. That is why we have given a conditional yes. In this sense, this is not in strong conflict with the Norwegian Health Directorate, Raja tells VG.

He adds that it is difficult to speculate on what infection rates must look like for events to receive final approval.

– It is a touchstone for sports. They must show that they can be as good as they have been in previous events. Skiing has managed to keep infection low internationally. This gives reason to believe that the ski association will be able to handle this difficult situation, says Raja.

The requirements are early arrival and quarantine. One argument is that these are outdoor sports.

Oslo Councilor Raymond Johansen (Labor Party) reacts strongly to the government’s decision.

– On the same day that we have great concern about the new mutated virus, the government crosses the signals of the Norwegian Health Directorate and the municipality of Oslo and opens for the World Cup in Norway, says Johansen in a press release Friday evening.

– The government’s decision means that they open a series of competitions in Holmenkollen against the wishes and recommendations of the municipality of Oslo. This will put us in a demanding situation and we should consider closing public transportation and areas in Marka to our citizens. Hasn’t the government learned something in a year? Also last year, when the virus had just arrived in Norway, the government opened for the World Cup in Holmenkollen against the advice and wishes of the Oslo municipality, says the leader of the capital city council.

First, the World Cup will combine women’s and men’s and women’s jumping in Lillehammer from February 12-14.

– We are given a lot of confidence

International football matches on Norwegian soil in February and March will also run normally. Raja confirms this to VG at the press conference, in line with the way the Norwegian Football Association experiences the situation.

The Vålerenga women’s team will play the postponed Champions League match against Brøndby on February 7, and LSK Women will play the Champions League in March. While Erling Moe’s men in Molde face Hoffenheim at the Aker Stadium in the Europa League final on 18 February.

Newly appointed director of the national team, Ståle Solbakken, also has one of three caps at Ullevaal in what will be the 52-year-old’s first meeting. Norway faces Turkey in the World Cup qualifiers on March 27.

– We have to wait for the final message, but how we perceive it, in practice it does not matter. Not for the match of Turkey, Vålerenga, Lillestrøm or Molde, concludes competition director Nils Fisketjønn of the Norwegian Football Association to VG.

Earlier today, the Norwegian Health Directorate announced that it does not want the government to grant exemptions from quarantine provisions in relation to a series of World Cup events in Norway this winter.

– We have been given a lot of confidence, says Sports Minister Berit Kjøll.

Ski President Erik Røste says they are taking the situation seriously, noting that they canceled the World Cup in Lillehammer in December.

– Then we did not feel prepared, now we do, says Røste.

– No one can leave the hotel until the test on arrival is negative. After three days, they do the test again, if that test is also negative, you have to compete, explained Røste at the press conference.

There are around 30 World Cup races for cross-country skiing, jumping, combined, alpine and biathlon:

• Men’s and Women’s Combined World Cup and Women’s Jumping, Lillehammer, 12-14.02
• Alpine Men’s World Cup, Kvitfjell, 04.-07.03
• Nordic World Cup Venues, Holmenkollen, 12-14.03
• Raw Air World Cup jump, Lillehammer, 15.-16.03
• Raw Air World Cup jump, Trondheim, 17-18.03
• Raw Air World Cup jump Vikersund, 19.-21.03
• Cross Country Skiing World Cup, Lillehammer, 18-21.03
• Biathlon World Cup, Holmenkollen, 18.-21.03.

Exceptions to entry regulations

The sport has requested an exemption from the entry and quarantine provisions in the covid-19 regulations in order to host a World Cup race in the coming months. Recently, health authorities are considering this application.

As is the situation today, a seven-day quarantine is required upon entering Norway if a negative corona test can be referenced. It would have been very difficult for Norwegian and foreign athletes to participate in the mentioned races if an exception had not come.

Football matches under the auspices of UEFA currently have an exception in section 6f of the covid-19 regulation..

Under this exception, players are released from quarantine if they test negative upon arrival in Norway and are tested every three days, according to NTB. This also applies to international handball matches and individual matches “in more detailed terms”.

The Norwegian Health Directorate writes in a statement that they want the entire 6f to be removed and therefore the exception repealed.

– The change in the infection situation in Europe therefore indicates that the exception in § 6f should also be strengthened, it is stated.

NFF Secretary General Pål Bjerketvedt told NTB on Thursday that this is still being considered and a conclusion can be reached next week.