As a last resort, we should ban entry from highly infected countries and close the borders - believes the chairman of the city council in Oslo. He is deeply concerned about the infection being imported into Oslo. City councilor Raymond Johansen is asking Wizz Air to cancel flights. And if not, it will ask the government to achieve the same.
W in recent years two weeks, 106 people tested positive in Norway, this applies to people returning from Poland.
City councilor Raymond Johansen in Oslo is very concerned about such imported infection and calls for a series of new measures - in the worst case scenario this involves closed borders.
On Monday, he will present new local initiatives in Oslo. The government announced at a press conference on Friday that... next week will also present new national measures.
Johansen does not specify what measures he is considering city Council, but says these will be targeted measures limiting contact between people, mobility and ensuring people stay one meter apart.
In recent weeks we have control in Norway and Oslo – despite rising infection rates, but in recent days something has started to happen, both in Norway and in Europe. This increases the risk of losing control, he says. He is afraid of the consequences for elderly people and other vulnerable groups.
Johansen Fears Norway will lose control
– Oslo is particularly susceptible to import infections. Whether we like it or not, but Norway is very dependent on immigration from Poland and Lithuania - he says. He emphasizes that in both countries it is happening strong growth infection.
Johansen points out that it has been reported recently in Poland a sharp increase in numbers infected people. Yesterday, 12.107 infections were recorded. Number of deaths amounted to 168 - the highest ever during the pandemic in Poland.
I think we need to create now restrictions on arrival to Norway, says.
He wants to limit air traffic
Chairman of the council the city believes this could happen when airlines themselves take responsibility and cancel their flights.
- If they do not do it themselves, it should be done by the national authorities - he believes.
Wizz Air has a particularly big responsibility because this one airline currently serves the majority of working immigrants to Norway. He asks the company for flight cancellations.
Wizz Air launches departures from Gdańsk to Stavanger, Bergen, Oslo, Ålesund, Trondheim, Kristiansand, Bodø, Molde, Haugesund, Sandefjord and Tromsø. In addition, trips from Warsaw, Katowice, Wrocław, Szczecin, Lublin and Poznań to several cities - he says.
He emphasizes that he does not know if all this will be realized.
Entry bans may be a preventive measure
– We should introduce it as a matter of extreme consequence No entry from countries with high infection and close the borders.
He believes that flights cannot be maintained solely for business reasons. The question now is whether this is the case air traffic is medically justified.
– I know that what I say may matter serious consequences for business and everyday life of many people. But the consequences will be even greater if we don't do something.
- Many people are very dependent on labor immigration?
– I understand, he says. However, it suggests that without new, strict measures, Norway could again find itself in a situation where we have to shut down society. He believes that it is better now to tighten sharply for a while - and take control - rather than wait for a situation in which the entire Europe will have to reconnect close.
More testing and enforcement quarantine
There is also potential in larger numbers tests and quarantine – if we tighten the regulations. Therefore, he asks a number of questions:
- Should we introduce mandatory tests on arrival, especially from countries with high infection rates? Currently, testing is voluntary.
- They are complied with quarantine rules entrance? Is home quarantine enough for working immigrants who do not test positive upon arrival? Can they go to work straight away?
- One test when entering Norway is enough for those who come to work here?
Raymond Johansen believes the answer to the last question is a resounding no. Some people have two, but not all. He claims that the health service in Oslo believes that the first test only reveals a maximum of half of the people who are already infected upon entry. A second test after five days would, according to the same agency, detect it another 44 percent of peoplewho were infected after arriving in Norway.
He believes there is a big difference between enforcement at large shipyards in western Norway and smaller companies on construction sites in Oslo. He is particularly concerned about what he calls "the more or less disorganized part" life professional.
Source Aftenposten
