- We are currently introducing the strictest measures in ten municipalities from March 12, 2020. In some areas, we go even further than in March. We are now doing our best to contain this epidemic by strong measures. All so that we can take control quickly and ease the most restrictive measures, says Høie.
From Saturday at At 12:00, decisive measures will be implemented in ten municipalities.
The measures will initially run until 31 January.
The municipalities concerned are mainly Oslo, Enebakk, Ås, Vestby, Nesodden, Indre Østfold, Moss, Frogn and Våler, as well as Nordre Follo. This applies to nearly 1 million people in Norway.
Let's get ready for the next changes at any time. If a mutant virus is detected elsewhere in the country, appropriate measures will also be taken there.
Measures were taken after it became known on Friday that a more contagious variant of the 'British' virus has been detected in the municipality of Nordre Follo.
It is currently uncertain to what extent the mutation has spread to other municipalities. The current situation is confusing, says the Ministry of Health and Welfare. Therefore, it is imperative to take action in the municipalities that are in contact with Nordre Follo.
- I would definitely ask the locals, lest have traveled to other municipalities to take advantage of offers that are closed in your municipality, says Høye.
Here are the new measures for the Oslo region:
- All events outside the home are prohibited, both indoors and outdoors, except for funerals and burials.
- A home office for all those who can and have such a possibility. Employers must ensure that
employees worked from home for as long as reasonably practicable. Employers must be able to document that
employees were informed about how this is to be carried out in the company. - Shops are closed. Exceptions apply to grocery stores, pharmacies and
gas stations. - Liquor Stores (Vinmonopolet) are also closed and will not be open between 23.01 and 31.01.
- Stop serving completely alcohols
- We close ourselves in amateur sports for children and adults.
- Refrain from other recreational activities (choir, cinema, theater, and the like)
- The following businesses and venues must be closed:
Restaurants. Takeout is allowed
Fitness centers
Pools, water parks, spa facilities, hotel pools and the like
Religious and philosophical houses, except funerals and funerals
Libraries
Amusement parks, bingo halls, game rooms, playgrounds, bowling alleys and similar venues for entertainment and entertainment
Museums
Cinema, theater, concert halls and similar cultural and entertainment facilities.
Other public places and businesses where
there are cultural, entertainment or recreational activities that gather people indoors.
. School and education
- Schools and kindergartens: in kindergartens, primary and lower secondary schools, the alert is raised to the red level in accordance with the national model for determining the risk. The municipal infection control authority may decide to close schools and kindergartens if preparation for red levels is necessary or if the contamination situation so requires.
- Upper secondary schools: Digital learning is being introduced in high school in week 4 and transition to red level secondary education should be prepared in week 5. Upper secondary schools that are already in red level should have fully digital learning in week 4 and prepare for a return to the red level at week 5.
- Rooms at universities, colleges and vocational colleges are closed to all students. Digital education will be introduced for everyone. All training and scheduled events must be postponed or digitized.
. Recommendations
- Everyone should avoid home visits and gatherings in their own homes. Exceptions for essential home services and end-of-life visits. Single people they may visit or visit one or two regular friends or one regular household. Children in kindergartens and primary schools can receive visits from their own group.
- Everyone should avoid travel that is not strictly necessary. Travel to work should be considered absolutely necessary. For the vast majority, home office requirements will still apply.
- Municipalities should introduce reinforced measures in public transport. This could mean, for example, that only 50% of the capacity is used in the means of transport.
- Individual firms such as hairdressers should introduce reinforced measures, such as the use of face masks in situations where it is not possible to keep a distance of 1 meter or the restriction or temporary suspension of services involving the necessary close contact.
- It is recommended that municipalities and the population in their respective municipalities consider testing days 7-10 during the infection quarantine period. It should also be considered whether close contact household members who are in quarantine should also be quarantined if there is a suspicion of being infected with a mutant variant of the virus.
Obligation to wear a face mask
- When it is not possible to keep a distance of at least one meter, a mask should be used in addition to short-term crossings for people other than household members.
- Masks should be worn in public places such as shops, on public transport and indoor stations, in take-away restaurants, in common areas of shopping malls if open, as there are pharmacies and grocery stores in the malls and in places of religious worship. funeral and burial houses.
- The obligation to wear a face mask applies accordingly to employees in places where it is not possible to keep a distance of at least one meter from visitors. This does not apply to workers in areas where other infection control measures for workers have been implemented, such as the use of visors, partitions, and the like.
- In the taxi, passengers must wear a face mask. It must be put on before passengers get into the taxi. It must not be removed until the journey is complete and the passenger has alighted from the taxi. The obligation to wear a face mask applies accordingly to the driver when there are passengers in the taxi.
- The obligation to wear a face mask does not apply to children under 12 years of age. And those that, for medical or other reasons, cannot wear a face mask.
Risk groups should be more careful
It is recommended that those at high risk of becoming seriously ill or dying from COVID-19 be more cautious. They should keep a greater distance (preferably 2 meters) from people other than those with whom they live, and should also receive help in functioning.
Your GP may consider issuing a sick note to people at risk.
Fellow residents of people who are at risk of becoming seriously ill or killed if they are infected should also isolate themselves more or maintain increased distance from those at risk. If you are unable to isolate yourself further, the municipality may consider assigning you another place to live.
When contacting the health service, if it is impossible to keep distance, you should wear a mask.
- He should maintain increased protection, ie. Keep a greater distance (preferably 2 meters) from others than the people he lives with.
- Should get help with the purchase
- Family doctors should possibly consider granting sick leave people who work
People who live (or are similarly close) with those at risk are also advised to adapt:
- He should also live in a more secluded place or maintain an increased distance from them
- If life in a more secluded place is not possible, municipalities may consider alternative housing. It is important that people at risk and their relatives wear face masks when in contact with a health care provider. And wherever it is not possible to keep distance.
Statement by Minister of Health Bent Høie at the press conference on Saturday 23.01.2020/9/XNUMX at XNUMX
