– If we can do it now, Christmas can be normal.

Exactly two weeks ago, on November 6, Councilor Roger Valhammer introduced new local infection control measures that will be implemented in Bergen. Initially, the measures were to be applied until November 23.

On Friday, Valhammer says the municipality will consider whether any of the measures should be adjusted and continued.

– Today’s regulations last until Monday, the City Council will consider whether to adjust any of the measures. We have to spend several days evaluating this, but people have to prepare for strict measures for another two weeks, Valhammer said Thursday.

– As the situation is today, there is no reason to believe that it is possible to make changes to the measures, he continues.

The measures also apply to Bergen’s neighboring municipalities, be they Alver, Askøy, Bjørnafjorden, Osterøy, Samnanger, Vaksdal and Øygarden.

– If we release too soon the risk that we will have to tighten again increases. If we succeed now, the Advent season and Christmas can become more normal, continues the town hall leader.

Hard on criticism

After infection control measures were introduced in Bergen, various opponents in the municipality have reacted to what they believe is a weak reason to introduce the regulations. Write BA.

Medical director Trond Egil Hansen took the opportunity to point the stern finger at anyone who endorsed this criticism.

– I have noticed the criticisms of the current regulations that were adopted too quickly and without prior documentation work. This is a criticism that I would flatly reject, Hansen said.

– You can compare it to receiving a sick person in the emergency room. It is known that the patient will not be able to cope without immediate help. Then you don’t sit down to write guidelines, continues the department head.

Maximum five people

The five-person maximum rule at social gatherings, including family, has received a lot of attention in Bergen. In Oslo, this limit is set at a maximum of ten people.

Hansen believes, however, that a maximum number of ten people will mean a multiplication of the risk of spreading the infection, compared to if there were only five people in the room.

– Many people probably remember a time when people shook hands. How many handshakes are there in a group of five people? There are ten handshakes. And in a group of ten? So the number is 45 handshakes, Hansen exemplified.

Additionally, he cautioned that criticism of infection control measures may inspire those who would not follow the regulations in the first place.

– The most important thing now is that we ensure full support for the measures that are applied now, says Hansen.

68 new cases of infection

There have been 68 new cases of infection in Bergen in the last 24 hours. A total of 3,600 people in Bergen have been diagnosed with the virus.

– The situation remains critical. It appears that the spread of the infection has stabilized, but we still don’t see a clear or downward trend, says Valhammer.

On the same day last week, there were 125 new cases. In Bergen, the average number of people infected in the last 24 hours is also 69 cases.

Four new kills per crown this week

In the last week, four people have died from coronary heart disease in Bergen, a total of 37 have died from coronary heart disease in the municipality.

As of Friday, 13 people have also been admitted to hospitals attached to the municipality.

Overview

See the overview of local measures in and around Bergen in the data box below:

Local infection control measures in Bergen

• The number of people who can attend private meetings is reduced from ten to five people, including those who live at home. There are exceptions for families living together more than five, as well as exceptions for cohorts of children in kindergarten and elementary school.
• Events in public places must have permanent seating and no more than 20 participants are allowed in attendance. At funerals, the limit is set at 50.
• Events without a fixed seat are prohibited.

Activity offer:

• Broad-based sports and amateur culture for adults over 20 are prohibited.
• Sports halls, swimming pools, gyms and places for similar activities must be kept closed. The first two are open to organized training or education for children and young people under 20 years of age.
• Training for children and young people under 20 years of age can be held, but events such as matches, cups, tournaments and the like are not allowed.
• Bingo halls, museums, and other similar offerings must be closed.
• The libraries will be closed for activities and stays, but there will be access to loans and shipments.

Home office, mask and service:

• Restaurants and other restaurants must close no later than 10 pm The service will stop starting at 9:30 pm. The provision does not apply to carry.
• Requirements for masks in public places, such as stores, malls and shops, if you cannot keep one meter away. Mandatory bandages are also introduced for taxi drivers and passengers.
• Nozzles should be used in pubs, restaurants, cafes, canteens and other restaurants when you move in the room and do not save a meter to others.
• Stores, shopping malls and the like should ensure that there are no more people present locally than can be kept two meters away.
• Home office requirements for anyone who might have it. The requirement will be stipulated by regulation.
• Everyone who can should avoid public transportation.