The strictest government measures will be introduced in all Viken municipalities on Monday night. Oslo has also tightened sharply. As a result, the measures covered concern a total of 2,1 million inhabitants.
Health Minister Bent Høie (H) said at a press conference on Monday night that the situation in Viken was serious.
Viken County is experiencing an increasing amount of infection with the English strain of the virus, and much of the infection cannot be traced.
- As recommended by the Norwegian Health Directorate and the National Institute of Public Health, the government is currently introducing level A measures, especially high-level measures, across the entire Viken Province and in the Gran municipality inland from midnight from Monday to Tuesday, March 16 says Høie.
The measures are valid until Sunday, April 11, inclusive.
Most stringent performance level
The Norwegian Directorate of Health and NIPH have recommended the government to impose A-level measures for a total of 52 municipalities, even though there is a significant difference in infection pressure between municipalities.
"Equal funding for the entire province will make it easier for people to understand and follow the rules," says Høie.
82 percent of new infections in Norway come from Oslo, Viken, and the old Vestfold region, where very strict measures are now or are being imposed.
More than 2,1 million inhabitants live in these areas, which is 40 percent of the Norwegian population.
The measures apply in the following municipalities of Viken:
Aremark, Asker, Aurskog-Høland, Bærum, Drammen, Eidsvoll, Enebakk, Flesberg, Flå, Fredrikstad, Frogn, Gjerdrum, Gol, Halden, Hemsedal, Hol, Hole, Hurdal, Hvaler, Indre Østfold, Jevnaker, Kongsadberg, Lillestrørm , Lunner, Lørenskog, Marker, Modum, Moss, Nannestad, Nes, Nesbyen, Nesodden, Nittedal, Nordre Follo, Nore og Uvdal, Rakkestad, Ringerike, Rollag, Rælingen, Råde, Sarpsborg, Sigdal, Skiptvet, Ullensaker, Vestby Municipality of Våde Øvre Eiker, Ål and Ås.
Closed stores
The introduction of an A-level measure, which is a "particularly high level of measure", implies, inter alia, a work-at-home mandate for those who can, closed shops and a yellow level in kindergartens and schools.
- All stores and department stores must be closed, except for, but not limited to, grocery stores and pharmacies. Restaurants must also be closed, but take-out is allowed, says the Minister of Health.
A complete stoppage of serving alcoholic drinks was also introduced.
Places that need to be closed include gyms, swimming pools, water parks, libraries, museums, cinemas, theaters, and religious and philosophical houses.
- Avoid home visits
All events outside the home are prohibited, both indoors and outdoors, except for funerals and burials.
"Everyone should avoid visiting and meeting at home," says Høie.
Other recommendations are that you should keep a distance of two meters when meeting other people. The exceptions are people in their own household.
- Everyone should also avoid unnecessary travel. You can go hytte, but only with people in your own household, says Høie.
. Very strict measures
On Monday evening, Oslo also introduced the most invasive measures to date during the pandemic.
As of Wednesday, more than two visitors will be barred from entering private homes in the capital.
- We have never been close to such a high level of infection as we are now. City councilor Raymond Johansen (Labor) said Monday night. Before he presented the most invasive measures we had used in Oslo during the entire pandemic.
There is no doubt that we are in the third wave of infection.
"That's why we have to ban more than two guests in private homes," says Johansen.