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When the crown crisis swept through Norway, severe restrictions were imposed: medical personnel were banned from traveling abroad, all who visited non-Nordic countries were quarantined, and schools were closed.
Since then, various parts of the restrictions have been relaxed. According to Frode Forland, this has led to an increase in the number of corona cases in parts of Norway during August and September.
But now Norway is opening up more and allows, among other things, the sale of alcohol after midnight. For visitors to sports stadiums, the distance requirement is reduced to one meter.
– The relief will probably not apply in Oslo. Or in other places where we see a high diffusion. It’s like you squeeze and open, depending on the local spread of the infection, says Frode Forland.
You have previously said that the infection is transmitted by young partiers in Norway. Isn’t there a contradiction in relaxing the rules on alcohol?
– Yes, alcohol has the effect of lowering its own restrictions, but the logic is that we do it very locally, says Frode Forland and reminds that bars should register visitors to facilitate tracking infections in the future.
Criticism of Sweden
You have previously criticized Sweden’s strategy, do you adhere to that criticism?
– I do not know if I have criticized the strategy, but I have said that it has had a high cost in the first phase of the pandemic. We had roughly the same mortality in institutions as in Sweden, in percentage terms. But we managed to attack more strongly with social measures, says Frode Forland.
How is your relationship with Anders Tegnell?
– I have a very good relationship with Tegnell, we spoke last Wednesday. I know Anders as a very good epidemiologist and a good guy. We are happy to meet up for a coffee or a beer when this is over. We have very valuable conversations, the Nordic network is an incredibly important channel.
Are there any images that you disagree with?
– It is an image created by the media. We have not agreed on some things, but is it okay? So you have to say, that’s what I think. It is a bit in the soul of the Norwegian people: if they do not agree, they say yes. I’ve done it in public and then the media will focus on it.
Threatened by the Swedes
Although Frode Forland does not believe he has criticized Sweden’s strategy, the Swedes have threatened him for it. Aftonbladet, who was the first to report the threats, has been told: “Not everyone likes it when you say no, least of all the Swedes.”
Forland informs Expressen that he does not want to go into detail about the threats, but says they arrived via email, text messages and social media.
Big question mark after the doctor’s press conference.
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