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On Saturday, the government will present new measures for the 25 eastern municipalities that have been partially closed. These rules apply next week.
– The infection continues to decline in Norway. We are starting to get an overview of the outbreak of the much more contagious variant, says Health Minister Bent Høie (H).
The government will continue with the national measures in force from January 18 to mid-February. Entry restrictions are also established.
Many of the strict measures for partially closed municipalities in eastern Norway will continue until Tuesday, February 2. However, starting Wednesday, some changes will be made and there will be more relief.
– We come with long-awaited relief. We hope they can help maintain patience through a difficult time, says Høie.
Starting on February 3, “Ring 1” will consist of the municipalities of Oslo, Ås and Nordre Follo.
These are the reliefs of “Ring 1” of February 3:
- Individual stores can be opened.
- Restaurants may reopen.
- The library can be opened.
- Children and young people can return to participate in sports and leisure activities.
- Children and youth can receive training and swimming lessons.
- Private home visits are no longer discouraged.
As of February 3, “Ring 2” will consist of the following municipalities: Asker, Bærum, Enebakk, Frogn, Indre Østfold, Lillestrøm, Lunner, Lørenskog, Moss, Nesodden, Nittedal, Rælingen, Vestby and Våler.
The municipalities of “Ring 2” will receive the following relief as of February 3:
- Adults can participate in organized workouts outside.
- Gyms can remain open.
- Children and youth can receive training and swimming lessons.
- It is no longer advisable to travel to a holiday home outside your own municipality, but you are asked to travel only with people from your own home.
After the outbreak of the British coronavirus mutation in Nordre Follo was discovered last week, the government introduced strict measures for 25 municipalities.
As of Wednesday, eight of these municipalities will once again be part of the current national councils.
This applies to the municipalities of Aurskog-Høland, Drammen, Horten, Lier, Marker, Rakkestad, Råde and Skiptvet.
– We have a better overview, but the situation is still uncertain. Tracking and tracking infections in affected municipalities will give us even better insight in the coming days, Høie says.
Relief for children and youth
During the press conference, the government also presented its reasons for easing the measures that had affected children and young people.
– I am very happy that we can loosen the measures a bit and then prioritize children, young people and people’s workplaces. It is important that we further reduce the infection and maintain control. So winter and spring can be easier for everyone, says Education Minister Guri Melby.
The relief means that the schools and kindergartens in the Ring 1 and Ring 2 municipalities are now returning to the yellow action level. This gives municipalities time to assess whether they need measures at the red level for local reasons.
In the case of universities, colleges, and vocational schools, facilities remain closed to students and teaching, and planned events will be postponed or held digitally.
However, exceptions are made for students who rely entirely on access to classrooms for experiments and skills training, in order to avoid delays in their studies.
Municipalities can push even further
The government allowed the municipalities to have stricter measures than those proposed, based on the contagion situation in the municipality.
This means that they can choose to have stricter measures than those presented if they see that it is appropriate.
The press contact in the Nordre Follo municipality, Silje Stavik, tells VG that they will be in meetings after the press conference is over. At the moment, they do not want to comment on whether they should introduce stricter measures than the other two municipalities on Ring 1.
Strengthening of entry rules
Previously, it has been possible to present a proven COVID-19 certificate, in order to avoid entry quarantine, requirements for a negative test and a test on arrival.
Due to several cases of false certificates, the government has decided to eliminate this exception, due to the increased risk of import infection.
In order to obtain an exemption for entry quarantine and the requirement for a negative coronation test performed 24 hours prior to arrival in Norway, only a revised Norwegian covid-19 certificate is approved.
The case is being updated.
