Shops, restaurants and schools are closing. Private meetings are not recommended. This was announced by the city councilor Raymond Johansen at a press conference on Sunday.
"It may seem paradoxical that infection worsens when measures are so stringent, prolonged and invasive," says Johansen.
He lists the more infectious mutant viruses as a possible cause of the increase in infection cases. Increased testing also leads to more positive test results.
"Testing is one of our most important weapons in the future," says Johansen.
A third factor that Johansen lists as the cause of the increase in infection is the increased mobility of the population. He says that more traffic in offices and cafes, among others, is leading to an increase in infections.
"We've been using the most stringent measures in the country for over 100 days, but under the Infection Control Act, these measures must be proportionate," says Johansen.
Therefore, more stringent measures are now being introduced as a result of the recent increase in the number of cases.
The measures will be valid until Monday 15 March inclusive.
These are the new countermeasures in force
- All restaurants must be closed, except for take-away sales
- All stores must close, except grocery stores and pharmacies
- Galleries and art shops must be closed from night to Tuesday
- Outdoor activities for adults are not recommended
- Outdoor events are prohibited
- The red level will be introduced in adult education and upper secondary schools from Monday 1 March
- No high school student should physically appear
- The municipality aims to introduce mass testing of students and teachers from March 8
- The commune introduces its own statutory rules regarding construction sites
It is recommended to avoid private meetings and visits to private homes, except single people and children and young people from the same group/class.
However, private meetings are not prohibited and you can visit up to 10 people. Both Johansen and health advisor Robert Steen continue to encourage people to limit their close contact with other people.
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Robert Steen Asks government to change priorities
Health Councilor Robert Steen says the most recent growth has been in the 39-39 age group, under 6 and 16-19 age group.
Unfortunately, Norway does not have enough vaccines to contain the spread of the infection, says Health Councilor Robert Steen at a press conference on Sunday.
He adds that mutant variants of the virus can account for up to 70 percent of those infected.
Fast testing for high school students
- We are now entering the last phase of the coronavirus crisis - says city councilor for Education and Knowledge Inga Marte Thorkildsen.
He points to good management of outbreaks in primary and middle schools as the reason why the transition from yellow to red will not matter. On the other hand, stricter restrictions will apply to upper secondary schools and people over 16 years of age.
On Monday, schools may opt for free tuition. On Tuesday, all upper secondary schools will have fully digital teaching, and from Wednesday, red schools will be fully operational.
A maximum of 10 people in total are allowed for everyone over 16 years of age.
From the second week of March, quick tests will be available for high school students.
"We know this type of change is extremely demanding for students and staff," says Thorkildsen.
He says increasing the number of preventive tests could help to ease the limitations faster. The introduction of masks for students and staff of upper secondary schools will also be considered.
– Over 600 died
A total of 2511 new cases of infection have been registered in Norway in the last seven days, and 3,8 million tests have been performed so far in this country.
95 COVID-19 patients were hospitalized on Saturday. There are two more cases than on the previous day.
A total of 622 people infected with the coronavirus have died in Norway since March, preliminary figures show. However, it is not always possible to say with certainty if patients have died from COVID-19.
Of the deceased, 64 percent are over 80 years old, and nine deaths are reported in the under 50 age group.
