Oslo is now introducing more stringent measures than ever before. As of Wednesday, more than two visitors to private homes will be banned. There will also be a home school for a large number of students.
Oslo's infection rates have caused much concern lately. Therefore, city councilor Raymond Johansen (Labor Party) is now introducing the most intrusive measures we had so far in Oslo during the pandemic.
– There is no doubt that we are in the third wave of infections. That's why we need to ban more than two guests visiting private homes in Oslo, says Johansen.
The chairman of the city council says if people visit more than two people, they will be fined.
- How high will the penalties be?
Not yet established. We will analyze the related legal guidelines, says Johansen.
In addition, a home schooling will be introduced for all students in Oslo upper secondary and university education.
Grorud, Stovner, Alna, Bjerke, Old Oslo, Grünerløkka and Søndre Nordstrand will also have a home school for children in grades 5 to 7.
new the regulations apply from Wednesday, March 17.
- Tedious and necessary
City councilor Raymond Johansen says banning more than two guests in private homes is a very onerous and serious measure.
- We know that many people in the city already live, with such limitations. But we also know that there are too many who flock to private homes and still have too many contacts, says Johansen.
Until now, it was forbidden to gather more than ten people in private homes, with the recommendation that private meetings and visits to private homes be avoided.
"The only way to stop a mutant virus is to stop as much social contact as possible," said the chairman of the city council.
– Kindergartens closed
Moreover, all of them kindergartens and schools in Oslo will be closed during Easter.
Vulnerable groups and children with socially critical parents will receive a tailored offer with physical presence before Easter.
Children with socially critical parents will receive a tailored offer with physical presence also during the Easter week.
Kindergartens and schools will reopen at the red level on Tuesday 6 April.
The remaining funds are valid until April 9.
School councilor Inga Marte Thorkildsen says schools will return to the red level.
- We protect the youngest children from further actions. Openness to the youngest children is extremely important. But I know that opening up in the current situation is also extremely dangerous. Workers are under a huge strain, says Thorkildsen.
Record high infection
1967 people infected with the coronavirus were registered in Oslo last week.
The municipality of Oslo has not previously registered such a high level of infection.
Hospital admissions are growing rapidly and are starting to put pressure on the capacity of Oslo's local government.
- We're in the third wave of infection. Mutant variants of the coronavirus are spreading rapidly in Oslo, and the measures we took earlier to nip the infection in the bud will not be enough to stop the new virus variants, says Johansen.
The city council president says the only way to contain the virus is to stop as much physical contact as possible between the city's residents.
- Hopefully this will reverse the development of the infection
Concerns about closure
During the pandemic, Oslo City Council sought to keep schools and kindergartens open, but Johansen now states that he is forced to change strategy.
The FHI recommended closing all schools across the city, but many have responded strongly to the proposal.
Among others, the ombudsman for children's rights, Inga Bejer Engh.
The Ombudsman for Children asked Oslo to undertake a thorough assessment, including the possibility of introducing measures at the district level where the infection is greatest.
- The scale of negative consequences for children is now much greater than in March. In addition, there have also been reports of increased domestic violence, Bejer Engh said
