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GIVE ADVICE: The development of infection in sport became a topic when Prime Minister Erna Solberg and representatives of the authorities appeared at a press conference today. Photo: Frode Hansen
Prime Minister Erna Solberg and Health Director Bjørn Guldvog issued a warning to sports at Friday’s press conference on the corona pandemic.
Prime Minister Erna Solberg told NTB that there are “many signs” that it will be difficult to host the European Handball Championship in Norway in December.
– We are working on the question of whether it is possible to have a protocol for such a large event. There are many indications that this may be difficult – to get a protocol when so many people will come and it affects so many people, says the Prime Minister.
Health Director Bjørn Guldvog recommends sports take a closer look at the routines established in various protocols, because now they are not good enough.
– My most important point on this issue has been that the infection situation in Europe is different now than when the FIS and UEFA protocols were made this summer. Infection rates are 30 to 40 times higher in some countries. This means that the strainer that is made for sports is much weaker and does not work the same way. We see this now by infecting both national teams and clubs. I think it is wise for the sport itself to review if those protocols are made for the current situation, said Bjørn Guldvog.
Trondheim City Manager Morten Wolden spoke to Adresseavisen following the Prime Minister’s remarks at the press conference.
– To come out and point at it now indicates that you intend to say no. So it seems, he says.
Responded to criticism
Prime Minister Erna Solberg notes that authorities have so far prioritized professional sports.
– When we now have two teams that are in quarantine because there is infection in Brann and Haugesund and in the national team, it shows that it is an infection that enters despite the fact that we have rules. I would like Haaland (Erling Braut) to keep scoring goals and not get sick. Then we should not expose the players of our national team to more risks, said the Prime Minister.
Criticism from Haaland’s father, Alf-Inge Haaland, regarding the cancellation of the international match against Israel, was also a topic at today’s press conference. Haaland also criticized health director Guldvog.
– It was football itself that made that decision. They were then warned by the health director and others with the message that it was prudent to assess the situation.
There was infection in the Israeli team and it was a risk. So it is the job of the health director to give this assessment, stated Health Minister Bent Høie when the question arose.
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Deputy Health Director Espen Rostrup Nakstad admits to VG that it is difficult to restrict those who have sport as a profession. At the same time, he believes that sport must take into account developments outside national borders.
– The situation in Europe has changed drastically and there is a lot of infection in sports environments, there is also infection in football clubs. We have many examples of that in recent days, also with international matches.
It just shows that no one is protected from this. Then you need to take this into account when planning these activities and also at the most important events. We depend on them not contributing to the spread of the infection, that in this way we spread the infection to the country, says Rostrup Nakstad and is clear that “nobody wants to make this more difficult than necessary.”
– At the moment it is quite an extreme situation in Europe and it is not very easy for any country in Europe to be the organizer of international championships and events that cross national borders. It is very difficult for many right now.
