- The number of people requiring intensive care is growing. This is worrying, says Prime Minister Erna Solberg.

We need to limit the infection because the new virus variant spreads much more easily and can lead to more serious disease.

Local funds

A number of measures have already been implemented in connection with the pandemic, and they are binding throughout the country. In the event of local outbreaks, stricter local measures will be necessary. Rapid reaction from municipalities is now more important than ever.

- Municipalities that made a fantastic effort during a pandemic must implement the necessary and sufficient measures as soon as an infection is detected. The city's doctor must take immediate action to contain the spread of infection if the municipal council meeting takes some time, says Health and Welfare Minister Bent Høie.

Municipalities affected by outbreaks need to coordinate rapidly with neighboring municipalities to prevent the spread of infection. After detection of an outbreak of infection, municipal doctors must quickly ensure joint action, in rapid coordination with the municipalities.

. Regional measures

The government warns that it will react quickly and intervene if measures are delayed and there is a risk of infection spreading. regional restrictions set by the government will be considered, inter alia, in the following situations:

  • when urgency requires fast and coordinated regulation or when decision-making processes in municipalities take too long,
  • where municipalities with quite similar needs in the same region want different measures,
  • when there is doubt as to whether the level of activity in a given area is sufficient to limit the infection,
  • if required by other national considerations, such as specialist healthcare capacities.

Much of the Norwegian population is already subject to very strict measures. The government last week introduced restrictions in several municipalities in Vestfold and Telemark. The population of Oslo has been subject to severe restrictions for several months.

. National measures

- If we manage to reduce contamination with local and regional measures together, we can avoid further strengthened national preventive measures that will also affect areas with fewer infections. But if the local, regional and national measures we have today prove insufficient to contain the infection, we will have to implement stricter national restrictions, says Erna Solberg.

The Norwegian Health Directorate and the National Institute of Public Health are now not recommending the government to introduce stricter national measures, but are assessing the situation on a daily basis with the Ministry of Health and Welfare.

Here are more stringent national measures that will be introduced if current measures are not enough to contain the spread of the infection:

  • Recommendation to stay two meters away from others, except for those in your own household or in close contact with single people.
  • Recommendation of up to ten private contacts per week, in addition to the maximum limit of five guests.
  • It is forbidden to consume alcohol.
  • Ban on organizing sports and recreational activities in rooms for adults. Exceptions for top professional athletes
  • Closing of gyms and swimming pools. Exceptions to children's swimming lessons and rehabilitation.
  • Closure of entertainment facilities such as theme parks, bingo halls and the like.
  • The employer must ensure that employees work from home in all practically possible workplaces
  • Fewer event participants:
    • Inside: 20 people with fixed assigned seats (down from 100)
    •  50 people at funerals and burials (out of 100) -
    •  50 people at a party for people under 20 - only from the same municipality
    • Outside: 50 people at events (down from 200 or 600 at fixed, assigned venues)

Assessment of the recommendation from January

If we see a further need, the government will also consider re-introducing its January recommendations, including:

  • Recommendation not to visit homes for two weeks
  • Postpone all events
  • Digital teaching at universities, colleges and vocational schools
  • Secondary and upper secondary schools on the red level
  • Municipalities facing high infection pressure should also consider red levels in primary schools and kindergartens

- Even if we do not introduce new national measures today, I would like to remind you of the recommendations that apply. Everyone across the country must limit social contacts. If you are going to meet someone outside the home, it's best to do so outdoors. Don't go abroad. Domestic travel should be avoided. Anyone with this option should have a home office. Events that bring together people from several municipalities should be canceled or postponed, says Solberg.

Easter travel and holidays

Until April 15, it is forbidden to travel abroad, unless it is absolutely necessary. This means that people living in Norway should not travel abroad during Easter.

Norwegians and people living in Norwaywho now go on holiday abroad must also be prepared for the government to consider extending the hotel quarantine program to new groups. This means that people who are currently traveling abroad for leisure purposes will likely need to undergo entry quarantine in a hotel upon returning home.

The government will also consider regulating the requirement that home entry quarantines should have separate bedrooms and bathrooms and be able to keep a distance of two meters.

For those looking to vacation in Norway, the government will return with more specific recommendations for the Easter holidays. Everything will depend on the development of the infection in the near future.

- The government will already be encouraging Norwegians living abroad, including students, not to come home for Easter, says Høie.

The government also recommends scheduling digital education at universities and colleges in the first week after Easter.