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Four times a week a ship arrives in Vippetangen, but passengers from Denmark can pass through the test station. The municipality of Oslo will introduce mandatory tests, but will not get any from the government.
NOT SATISFIED: Councilor Raymond Johansen (Labor Party). Here in front of the Oslo city hall, which is a 15-minute walk from the Danish boat in Vippetangen.
Mattis sandblad
– Denmark has had five to ten times more infections than Norway every day in December, says Raymond Johansen (Labor Party), leader of the Oslo city council.
– I wanted to have a better control over the Danish ship, which arrives in Oslo from Copenhagen and Frederikshavn several times a week, and I have requested mandatory tests for those coming from red countries.
But the government’s answer was no. In the Storting, the Socialist People’s Party and the ruling Conservative, Christian Democrat and Liberal parties voted against the introduction of mandatory tests for those traveling to Norway.
The municipality of Oslo has also refused to introduce mandatory tests on its only direct route from abroad, namely the Danish ship.
– Surprised by Sp
– Even though the government said no to the mandatory tests, he hoped that we locally in Oslo would be able to test everyone who comes with the Danish ship. We have testing capacity available and we can make it happen. The response we received was that we have no legal authority, says Johansen and continues:
– I am surprised by Sp, who is so concerned about local self-government, but will not give municipalities the opportunity to carry out mandatory tests.
Johansen stresses that he is satisfied with the collaboration between the municipality of Oslo and the Danish ship company DFDS.
– The Danish ship has an important function as a cargo line during the pandemic, and I do not want to stop the departures, but I have mandatory tests.
DIRECTLY: If you fly into Oslo Airport, you will land at Gardermoen, which is located on the border between the municipalities of Nannestad and Ullensaker. The only direct route between the municipality of Oslo and abroad is Danskebåten.
Thomas andreassen
You are not allowed to decide for yourself
The municipality of Oslo has established a test station in Vippetangen, but cannot order anyone to carry out a crowned test.
– If you have good contact with DFDS, why not introduce mandatory passenger tests in collaboration with them?
– Because we are not allowed. There is no legal basis and we must have it.
– Can’t DFDS require proof of its passengers?
– No. The response of the government parties is that we do not have legal authority for mandatory tests.
– How long will the citizens of Oslo have such strict measures as they are today?
– Christmas is a very important time. We have said that we will have a new evaluation on January 7, so we will see what we can measure for infection then. I hope there is a basis for me to open up eventually. I am very worried and I fear many bankruptcies in January.
Johansen rejects that the measures are too strict and believes that reducing contact between people is the only thing that has worked until the end.
– It’s a time for everything. It is also a time when evaluation comes and we have many answers on the table. Then we will know more if we have been too close or not strict enough.
WILL PROVE. Councilor Raymond Johansen will introduce mandatory tests for everyone traveling from red countries with the Danish ship.
Møller line
– No one feels sorry for Oslo
The city council leader believes that Oslo needs more money than a municipality has to save nightlife and the tourism industry.
– The municipality of Oslo can do more, but we do not have an oil fund. In the budget deal for the 2021 commitment to Frp, the government found an additional NOK 18 billion, but found no money for a separate crisis package for Oslo, it says.
– There are big packages for the Storting’s oil and gas industry, while nightlife and tourism in Oslo are down with a broken back. It will be a political blow in the air to say that Oslo does not do enough when we are on the front line to handle one in three cases of infection in Norway.
Prime Minister?
The capital doesn’t get much support from the rest of the country either, he believes.
– We are characterized by the fact that no one walks and feels sorry for Oslo, but there are people living here, says Johansen, who points out that Oslo has record unemployment.
– Would you do a better job than Erna Solberg as Prime Minister?
Johansen laughs.
– My task now is to do the best job possible as the leader of the city council and for the people of Oslo. I have worked well with Bent Høie. So it is my job as the leader of the city council in Oslo to defend the inhabitants and the business community here in the city.
– So you don’t think you did better?
– I think it’s a hypothetical question. I look forward to doing a good job as a city council leader.
Norwegian Health Directorate assesses testing requirements
Health Minister Bent Høie (H) responds to VG by email.
– The Norwegian Health Directorate is now considering whether it is correct to introduce requirements for tests within 24 hours for all travelers from abroad, as we have already introduced requirements for travelers from the UK, writes Høie.
The Norwegian Health Directorate has so far not recommended mandatory testing.
– The municipality of Oslo can offer testing to all travelers, but if the individual traveler is required to take the test, a national solution is required, Høie writes.
