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BOARD STOP CONTINUES: National government facilities cannot be brought into Oslo. Thus, the stop to drink continues after midnight in the capital. Photo: Terje Bringedal
The pressure of infection in Oslo is so high that it is necessary to continue with all the corona measures that were introduced two weeks ago. In the current situation, the city council cannot encourage companies to organize Christmas dinners.
The Oslo City Council decided two weeks ago to toughen the crown measures.
Among other things, the use of bandages was banned on public transport when it is not possible to maintain a distance of one meter, and indoor events with more than 50 participants without fixed seats were temporarily banned. It is also not possible to gather more than ten people privately in the capital.
All these measures will continue indefinitely.
– 30 percent of the infection in Oslo has an unknown origin. So it’s risky to open up for more people to gather outside, says the city council leader.
In Oslo, it is also not possible to introduce any of the reliefs envisioned by the government through national infection control measures. These include the abolition of the national ban on alcoholic beverages at midnight and the gradual reopening of grassroots adult sports.
– We have evaluated all relief very thoroughly based on our local infection situation. The conclusion is clear: we must currently have stricter rules in Oslo than in the rest of the country, says Councilor Raymond Johansen (Labor Party) about the national relays that apply from 12 October.
Prime Minister Erna Solberg (H) arrived three days ago with an invitation to companies to organize Christmas dinners for their employees. This call cannot apply to Oslo as long as the infection situation is as it is today, says Johansen.
He also reminded the people of Oslo to keep infection control rules in mind when traveling to other parts of the country.
– Remember that what you do in the next few weeks and months can determine whether you will actually be able to go home for Christmas. You may be quarantined immediately prior to departure. Sitting in the student dormitory during the holiday celebration can be the result of carelessness or bad luck, says Johansen.
There are no signs of a decline in infection in Oslo, deputy health director Espen Rostrup Nakstad said on Thursday. He believes the capital runs the risk of ending up in the same situation as much of Europe, where a new wave of serious infections is now entering.
– What do you think of Nakstad’s proposal?
– It is not a proposal, it is a reality, and it has been until the end. Since March, when we were the epicenter of the infection, how we managed to deal with the infection in Oslo is crucial for Norway. A quarter of a million people are in and out of Oslo every day, we have Gardermoen airport and several other destinations, so this has been the case from the beginning. That we must succeed in this.
– The fewest number of companies and meetings possible
During the press conference, Johansen was concerned with emphasizing personal responsibility. It is the duty of all of us to prevent the spread of disease, he believes.
– We must not stretch the rules and gather as many people as possible within the allowed limit. When we introduced the rule of no more than 10 people in meetings, we were asked a lot of questions: “Can my company be okay?”
– We must change the way we think about people, says the leader of the town hall and elaborates:
– It means the fewest possible parties and private gatherings, the fewest possible children’s birthdays. I understand that it is difficult, but by all means we will avoid closing kindergartens and schools.
Several European cities are, as Nakstad pointed out, on their way to a new wave of serious infections. In Rome, mandatory open-air bandages have been introduced and Paris is entering a new state of emergency.
At the same time, the WHO fears the so-called apathy of the crown, which means that people are tired of adhering to infection control rules. The town hall leader describes it as a powerful reminder for decision makers.
– Therefore, we must make sure that people understand the rules that apply and put a lot of effort into communication measures, especially against young adults, where the infection increases the most and many are not afraid of getting sick. At the same time, I am sure that this group wants daily life to return to normal as much as possible; We only do this by reducing the number of infections, says Johansen.
The infection is related to the fall holidays
According to the city council leader, there are many indications that the high infection rates in Oslo are related to the autumn holidays. About 3,000 fewer tests were conducted during the fall break than the previous week.
– Many people in Oslo have been away during the autumn holidays. People have gathered in small huts in municipalities with fewer restrictions and have postponed testing until they return home, he says.
Police Chief Beate Gangås was also present at the press conference. Johansen reminded the public that violations of the Communicable Diseases Act are criminal. The police have recently issued several fines, especially for non-compliance with the quarantine and isolation obligation.
Raymond Johansen says that people are mostly good.
– The police say there are far fewer people outside, there are fewer parties and violent crime in the city center is much lower than before. That means many are home, says Johansen.
He says that the infection is great among family and friends.
– This is where we have to push ourselves and be good at knowing who you are dealing with, how close you are and for how long.
