Once again the government postpones the introduction of step four. A new assessment will be made in mid-August.
Health Minister Bent Høie said at a press conference that step four would also not be introduced now, but there will be a new assessment in two weeks. About 90 percent of Norway's population will then receive at least one dose of the vaccine.
"The day is fast approaching," he says.
“There are indications that we may have a vaccination rate that we did not dare to count on,” says Høie.
But there are some things that are disturbing. Norway is gaining experience from the Netherlands, Spain and the United Kingdom - which has had a big increase in the number of people infected.
- As expected, the delta variant has become the dominant one. It is uncertain how this will affect Norway, he continues.
The National Institute of Public Health (NIPH) estimates on Wednesday the coronavirus reproduction rate was 1,1 at the end of last week.
The last time FHI released R numbers was on July 14th. Then the number was 0,9.
Changes in step three
The government has decided to make some changes in step the third - which is currently Norway. From August 16, children and adolescents under 18 years of age will be exempt from quarantine, chyba that they are members of the household household or have close contact with a person infected.
- It increases the risk of infection, but it's a risk we want to take, says Høie.
Another change to come will take place on Monday, August 2. Then companies and organizations can organize social gatherings.
Here, a lot can be almost the same as normal, but there will still be requirements for infection control measures, distance, to keep you home during illness or quarantine.
- You may still need to use your home office.
- There is no recommendation to limit the number of guests in your home.
- It is recommended to facilitate physical education in universities, colleges and vocational schools.
- There is no recommendation for a distance of one meter for sporting and cultural events. The best sports can be practiced as usual.
- In the case of restaurants, the requirement for table service has been abolished. There are still residence registration requirements for all guests.
- It is recommended that summer and activity camps limit the number of participants to 500 and divide them into groups of 50.
- For mass events, 750 people without permanent seats and 2500 people with permanent seats may be present. For more restrictions, see government websites .
- Disturbing development
- There is a worrying development in several European countries as a result of the Delta variant, also in countries with greater vaccination coverage than in Norway, such as the UK and the Netherlands. It is uncertain how the Delta variant will affect Norway in terms of the spread of infection and disease. Therefore, the government has decided to follow the advice of the Norwegian Health Directorate and NIPH and not implement step four in the reopening plan now, says Høie.
