Research says COVID-19 is likely to last for at least six months. But what are the rules for those infected in recent months? How will this affect this year's Christmas celebrations?
Scientists came to this conclusion as part of extensive research into the possibility of reinfection after hearing from healthcare professionals that reinfection is difficult to assess.
“We can be pretty confident, at least in the short term, that most people who have had COVID-19 will not get it again,” says Professor David Eyre, one of the scientists behind the study, who believes it is good news.
However, they stress that they don't have enough data to say anything about the likelihood of a reinfection after six months.
Bad news
Many assumed that a person who had covid-19 was immune and therefore should not be counted among the ten people who can gather at Christmas.
However, the assistant director of health, Espen Rostrup Nakstad at the Norwegian Directorate of Health, gives the disappointing news and says you should be counted among the ten people eligible for the admission, whether you had covid-19 or not.
`` That's because we don't know for sure if and when it's possible to catch the coronavirus again, he says and continues:
- As no one knows exactly how long you are immune or non-infectious, we recommend everyone stay away from other people in public spaces. This also applies to 0,6% of the population tested positive during the pandemic.
Everyone should follow the same rules, says Nakstad.
- The only thing you don't need to do if you can document a positive result less than six months ago is entry quarantine.
Most of the people who had covid-19 belong to the household and can invite guests regardless, Nakstad states.
Infectious
Health Director Bjørn Guldvog also points out that you can catch the coronavirus even if you have been infected before.
Even if you don't get symptoms, you can actually make a virus in your mucous membranes. Therefore, it is possible that you are contagious, he says.
The Health Director emphasizes that this is something we know very little about at the moment.
This applies to the entire country
Since the end of September, over 27 positive COVID-000 tests have been registered nationwide. Of these, about 19 people lost their lives.
The government has set up national councils to determine how best to celebrate Christmas and New Years Eve while maintaining infection control. The Christmas tip is valid from December 23rd inclusive to January 1st inclusive.
- Christmas is a time of closeness, not distance. We want everyone to be able to celebrate Christmas with as many people as possible. We deserve it, not only this year. At the same time, we are concerned that the Christmas celebration will lead to more infection in society. We don't want to start the new year with rising infection rates and new countermeasures in January. None of us wants that, said Prime Minister Erna Solberg at a press conference in early December.
These recommendations are country-wide. Municipalities with high pressure of infection may have stricter rules regarding the number of visitors and contacts. Therefore, pay close attention to the information where you live, encourages the government.
"When we open up to more visitors for two days over Christmas and New Years, it is assumed that everyone is responsible for keeping at least one meter away and limiting the number of social contacts throughout the period," says Minister of Health and Care Bent Høie.
These rules they concern Christmas in Oslo
In the last two weeks, there were 1414 infected in Oslo.
`` This year's Christmas celebrations will be different, '' Oslo City Councilor Raymond Johansen (Labor) said at a press conference where the City Council unveiled plans for Christmas 2020.
It was decided to extend the social shutdown in Oslo until January 7.
At the same time, it opens up to activity in clubs, Christmas offers for victims, services and similar meetings.
"I hope this will contribute to a pleasant unity during Christmas," says Johansen.
The rules are therefore stricter than the national recommendations that say up to 10 can be collected during the Christmas season.
