– You can stay in a “suitable place” – VG

During the opening of the press conference on Wednesday, Monica Mæland emphasizes that it was necessary to introduce the scheme with quarantined hotels to limit import infection, but says they understand that the scheme has been perceived as unfair.

– Some of the rules have been criticized. They are perceived as unfair, he says.

Therefore, the government is proposing various changes to the quarantine hotel scheme, mainly regarding where the quarantine period can be implemented.

– We now propose that those who document the leases in Norway but who do not live here can stay there during the quarantine period, says Mæland.

Previously, only homeowners in Norway could spend the quarantine period there.

– And then we also suggest that people who do not live, own or rent a house during the quarantine period can stay in a “suitable place”, if they can easily document that the quarantine rules are followed, says the Minister of Justice.

In practice, this means that you should have access to a separate living room where quarantine rules can be followed, as well as a bathroom and kitchen.

– It must be possible to avoid close contact with others, says Mæland.

Here are the suggestions:

• Those who rent a home in Norway, without living there, may complete their quarantine period there after entering Norway. Previously, the exception for quarantined hotels was that you had to own your own home.
• Those who do not rent or own a house in Norway can complete the quarantine period in a ‘suitable place’, if it can be documented that the quarantine rules are being followed.
• Those who are already in quarantined hotels can move to a suitable place if they comply with the terms of the new regulations.
• A form should be created in which you can document what the quarantine site looks like.
• Health authorities will communicate information on quarantine rules for arrivals. An SMS will also be sent before Christmas to all foreign mobiles in Norway with information in their own language.
• All travelers to Norway must be quarantined for 10 days. The exceptions only apply to certain areas in the Nordic countries and Europe with a low enough spread of infection.

The Minister of Justice and Emergency Preparedness, however, emphasizes that everyone entering Norway from red countries must complete a ten-day quarantine period.

– We hope to implement these changes as soon as possible and therefore we will send these proposals for consultation during the afternoon with a consultation period of 48 hours, says Mæland.

Changes must be determined no later than the weekend.

Smash the dream of the Christmas holidays

During Wednesday’s press conference on the status of the crown on Wednesday, Health Minister Bent Høie says it will be longer before a vaccine returns us to normal.

– The news that the vaccine is on the way has probably made many people dream of a Christmas vacation like usual. Unfortunately I have to squash that dream, says Høie.

By Easter, expect many to be vaccinated.

– We must step firmly every day between us and the summer. It doesn’t seem exactly like that now, but it also comes days after Christmas.

– What we do this Christmas determines how these days will be. We must follow the tips and rules that will stop the infection, whether we celebrate at home or abroad, says the Minister of Health.

Furthermore, it emphasizes that those who celebrate Christmas abroad should be quarantined when they return. Also those who come to celebrate with the family here, must be quarantined.

– This is how we can avoid a new wave at the beginning of the new year.

It does not extend the opening hours of the pole

Early Wednesday, VG discussed a document that was sent to the government from FHI, which proposed to extend the opening hours in grocery stores and the sale of alcohol to avoid big business.

– With stores open on multiple holidays during Christmas, you can reduce the shopping and pressure on stores before Christmas. The prolonged selling time of alcohol in stores and liquor stores could lead to further reduction in pressure, they wrote in the decision basis.

The document is dated November 30, but was first posted today on the FHI website.

When asked if the opening hours of the shops and Vinmonopolet will be extended in December, Høie replies, however, that this is not possible.

– This council has also been monitored by the government. There has been a meeting between the Minister of Commerce and Industry and the Minister of Children and Families today and with the parties the feedback from the parties is that they believe this is not necessary, says Høie.

According to the health minister, the stores believe they have good systems to deal with this and do not want to require employees to work beyond normal opening hours during holidays.

– What would have been relevant is to keep the stores open on December 27 as well. For Vinmonopolet, the opening hours are regulated by law, so it is not possible to change them, explains Høie.

– It is important to be careful when planning this, not to act at the last minute, he adds.

The case is being updated