Oslo Health Advisor Robert Steen (Ap) said the restrictions could take a long time. Freedom of movement may be restricted all year round.
He says no vaccine will be introduced for approximately 12 to 18 months.
Easter is coming soon, and for most Norwegians that means more free time. The strict restrictions introduced on March 12 initially continued until Easter. Next week, the government will decide what will happen next.
We hope it will be an Easter miracle that the coronavirus crisis will end just by Easter. The adviser to the ministry of health Robert Steen (AP) suggests.
On the contrary, it is likely to end at the end of 2020, he says in an interview with Dagsavisen.
The Ministry of Health envisages further restrictions
- The current tightening regarding the Coronavirus does not end until Easter. However, this is not the end of the restrictions. We think that it will last until the end of 2020, and maybe even until mid-2021, Steen says, referring to scenarios developed by health authorities:
The virus can be fought through human immunity. This means 40-50 percent of the population would have to have the disease, and it could take several years, according to assistant director of health, Espen Nakstad. We can wait for the vaccine, but it is 12-18 months, emphasizes Steen.
- So the wait for a vaccine could be until spring 2021, he says.
We probably need to stay at bay all year round
Meanwhile, the people of Oslo have to be patient, says Steen.
It believes that measures are taken to limit the movement of people and thus prevent infection. They will continue throughout the year in one form or another.
The Ministry of Health has restrictions
Oslo has closed all of them in line with national requirements schools and kindergartens and a number of cultural and recreational arenas. Such as libraries, sports facilities, swimming pools, soccer fields and so on.
Steen won't predict which of these measures the City Council will follow. It will refer to the recipes that have distanced others so far.
- I would be surprised if we did not want to implement the restrictions. Do not use any measures such as keeping your distance from others all year round, she says.
Both the municipality and the government have asked everyone outside to stay at least one meter away from each other and not to join groups of more than five people. In addition, Oslo has banned events with more than 50 participants.
Maintains a high level of emergency preparedness during Easter
City Council Chairman Raymond Johansen (Ap) previously stated. Oslo may require stricter infection prevention measures than the rest of the country.
Steen says the city council has yet to make any decisions about which infection prevention measures should be continued and which can be waived, but the municipality is prepared, according to the health authority, should the government decide to moderate national action ahead of Easter.
- Preparedness for emergencies in Oslo is quite high. Few are in central positions during the Easter holidays this year, says Steen and continues:
- Take something as simple as public transport. When many people start traveling together during Easter, many things can happen. He says we need to prepare for this.
Concerned about infection rates
The health agency says it is concerned about the contamination situation in the capital it describes as the "epicenter".
On Friday, 1438 people in Oslo were diagnosed with the infection coronavirus, according to data from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health. There is more than any other district in the country, with Viken leading the way.
- The spread of infection may appear to even out somewhat, and at least not to the same explosive extent. But I am still concerned about the situation, especially in some parts of Oslo, says Steen.
Both the chairman of the city council, Johansen, and the social spokesman Omar Gamal (SV) expressed concern. Oslo's infection rates are higher in eastern boroughs. According to Johansen, the municipality reports that there are many immigrant communities among those infected in the capital.
- In some pockets, the spread of infection is faster than in other parts of Oslo. This challenge doesn't stop when we come for Easter. According to Steen, nothing in the numbers indicates this.
The Ministry of Health has restrictions
