“This week, most people over 18 will be offered a vaccine. This means that after 3 weeks they will have good protection against serious diseases. We want to give all 18+ people a chance to protect themselves before we ease further restrictions. ” Minister of Health and Welfare Bent Høie.

The infection rate is expected to increase as schools and higher education start next week.

“Over the next 3 weeks, we must continue to reduce the infection rate so that transmission does not increase too much and municipalities have no difficulty tracking contacts. Even though we have been vaccinated, we must still stay at a distance in public places, stay at home when we are sick, get tested if there are any symptoms, and keep our hands clean. "

“Everyone should download the Smittestopp app to help their municipality track contacts and prevent an epidemic in the near future,” encourages Høie.

Vaccinations of 16 and 17-year-olds

The pace of vaccinations will accelerate over the next few weeks due to one million additional vaccine doses Norway will buy from Poland. This means the adult population will be fully vaccinated 2-3 weeks earlier than expected.

“This will be very helpful in the face of the rising infection rate in the fall. We will also accelerate the final decision to vaccinate 16 and 17-year-olds.

Government Norway will make this decision in August, and not in September, as originally planned. Municipalities were asked to plan further vaccinations of this group.

“We will make a decision based on the latest and most up-to-date knowledge about vaccination in this age group. If we decide to offer them a vaccine. These additional doses that we buy in Poland will enable municipalities that have made the most progress in vaccination to start vaccinating 16 and 17-year-olds within a few weeks, emphasizes Høie.

The Norwegian Institute of Public Health is also considering whether to offer vaccines to children as young as 12.

“Vaccinations are now progressing at a good pace and we can afford to assess this matter thoroughly based on the latest available knowledge. If we recommend offering the vaccine to this group as well. It will be important that the decision is made in such a way as to arouse trust among young people and their parents"

. Students are exempt from maintaining distance while teaching

During the summer, the Norwegian government eased restrictions in several areas that were originally part of step 4 of the reopening plan.

Another correction is currently being made:
students are exempt from keeping their distance while teaching. This was to be part of Step 4. It is now being implemented in line with the recommendations of the Norwegian Health Directorate and the Norwegian Institute of Public Health.

“This means that after 18 months of keeping their distance, students will finally be able to meet face to face in classrooms and sit side by side in an auditorium.

I am convinced that this will provide students with a much more enjoyable and safer start to their studies than last year, says Research and Higher Education Minister Henrik Asheim.

Step 4 will be implemented when all adults are protected. Continuous readiness

Most of the adult population will receive a second dose of the vaccine within the next 4 weeks.

“Vaccines will help keep the pandemic under control, but we must continue to live with the virus as we live with other infectious diseases. It is impossible to completely eliminate the risk. This means that some people will become seriously ill. Some will die of COVID-19 after vaccination is completed and society reopens, ”says Høie.

The Norwegian government will not maintain national restrictions to completely eliminate the risk, but will consider action if necessary. Viral mutations can arise and lead to more serious diseases against which vaccines are ineffective. As long as the number of seriously ill and admitted people remains low, the rate of infection is of limited importance.

“Therefore, step by step 4 will be associated with normal everyday life, but with increased readiness. We will monitor the situation at the national and international level. Central authorities, hospitals and municipalities must be ready to be able to act quickly when needed, ”says Høie.

Changes to entry restrictions

Persons who have been accepted for doctoral studies at a Norwegian educational institution will be able to re-enter the country. From Sunday August 15 at 00:00. They must meet the same testing and quarantine requirements as other persons coming from a third country.

The Norwegian government has also revised step 4 of the re-opening plan. In step 4, entry will be allowed for grandparents, partners and other close relatives from third countries.

“They will still be subject to strict testing and quarantine requirements once they arrive in the country, but will eventually be able to meet their loved ones in Norway. I know a lot of people missed it, ”says Høie.

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