Regional changes to Covid-19 infection control measures in Viken and other individual municipalities in Norway. Changes from Monday, April 12.
On March 16, the government introduced regional measures in all communes in Viken and the commune of Gran. All 52 municipalities have received Action Level A, which is the most stringent Action Level.
Following the recommendation of the Norwegian Directorate of Health, the National Institute of Public Health, the government has decided that 20 municipalities will continue to operate at level A, 19 municipalities will have level B, while 13 municipalities will no longer have regional funding. The changes are valid from midnight on Sunday, April 12, and until Sunday, April 25, inclusive.
The number of infections in Viken has recently flattened
- The Viken infection figures have recently flattened, indicating that the measures introduced on March 16 took effect. Nevertheless, in a few municipalities the level of infection is still too high. Therefore, in these municipalities, regional measures are continued, either at the current level or at the level of action B, says Minister of Health and Care Services, Bent Høie.
The communes and authorities had a close dialogue over these measures to control coronavirus infection
Norwegian Directorate of Health, National Institute of Public Health, State Administrator in Oslo i Viken and the municipalities concerned maintained a close dialogue on this matter. Most municipalities support this recommendation.
In these communes, action level A continues:
Asker, Bærum, Drammen, Eidsvoll, Enebakk, Fredrikstad, Gjerdrum, Lier, Lillestrøm, Lørenskog, Moss, Nannestad, Nes, Nordre Follo, Rakkestad, Rælingen, Råde, Sarpsborg, Ullensaker and Ås.
Here are the commons in which the level of funds is lowered from the level of middle A to the level of middle B:
Aurskog-Høland, Frogn, Halden, Hole, Hurdal, Hvaler, Indre Østfold, Jevnaker, Kongsberg, Lunner, Marker, Modum, Nesodden, Nittedal, Ringerike, Skiptvet, Vestby, Våler and Øvre Eiker.
In these communes, regional measures expire:
Aremark, Flesberg, Flå, Gol, Hemsedal, Hol, Krødsherad, Nesbyen, Nore and Uvdal, Rollag, Sigdal and Ål in the municipalities of Viken and Gran inland.
The government also decided to end regional activities in the municipalities of Bokn, Haugesund, Karmøy, Sveio, Tysvær, Utsira and Vindafjord, which apply regional measures until Sunday 11 April inclusive. As recommended by the Norwegian Health Directorate, the National Institute of Public Health and the state administrator, the regional funding will be completed at midnight on Monday April 12:
Commune levels that move from Level A to Level B receive changes that mean, among other things:
-Sports and recreational activities are also allowed indoors children and adolescents under 20 years of age, and the ban on organizing outdoor activities for people over 20 years of age does not apply.
-Shops, malls and department stores may remain open. Residents are advised to use local shopping malls and department stores.
-Restaurants may remain open, but serving alcohol is not allowed.
-Pools, water parks, spas, hotel pools and the like are open to school swimming classes, organized swimming courses and swimming training for people under 20 and swimming for leading athletes, as well as for rehabilitation, training and individual treatment.
Temporary measure A level adjustments followed by a comprehensive review of measure levels
The intention behind the Level A measure was to have a set of very stringent measures that could be implemented in two to three weeks in the event of a confusing and severe outbreak in the region. The continuation of A-level action for the 20 municipalities in Viken means that the residents of these municipalities must live on such a stringent level of funding for almost six weeks.
Regional changes to Covid-19 infection control measures in Viken-It is not the intention that level A measures should last for such a long period.
- Maintaining the most stringent level of activities is associated with a very high burden for the inhabitants of these 20 communes. Level A measures were not intended to last for such a long period. At the same time, the level of measure B means that the level of funds is too low, given the serious situation of these municipalities. The Norwegian Directorate of Health and the National Institute of Public Health are therefore now tasked with considering some interim solutions for level A.
We are dependent on very strict level of measure Awhich may also quickly and effectively reduce disease outbreaks in the future
- We are still dependent on a very strict level of measure A, which may also in the future quickly and effectively reduce disease outbreaks in a relatively short period of time. This is especially important in view of virus variants that may be more resistant to vaccines. At the same time, it is important to look at the special levels of measures B and C and assess whether these measure levels can be better adapted to situations, such as in parts of Viken, where there is a need for strict measures over a longer period of time, says Høie
