"The new variant of the Omikron virus means we're raising our preparedness level to Level 3, which is our highest level," says Oslo City Councilor Raymond Johansen.
Increased preparedness means that central crisis management is re-established in the Municipality of Oslo to ensure effective information exchange, shared understanding and coordination.
The situation in Oslo is now quite different from before during the pandemic
Over 87 percent of Oslo's over-18 population fully vaccinated. 90 percent have received at least one dose. Almost 60 percent people over 65 in Oslo received the third dose. Before Christmas, the council hopes to start the third dose for people aged 45-65.
- Good vaccination coverage means the situation in Oslo is now very different from it was before during the pandemic. Now we can keep society open while keeping the situation under control. But let there be no doubt that the Municipality of Oslo is taking this situation very seriously. We have recently implemented a number of measures, says city councilor Raymond Johansen (work).
The new variant of the Omikron virus means we're raising the readiness level to level 3
Earlier, on November 24, Oslo City Council introduced new pandemic councils and strengthened measures. The chairman of the city council once again asked the people of Oslo to wear masks in public transport, taxis, shopping malls and shops.
Massive volesting in schools in grades 5 to 10. The extension of mass testing is under consideration. In addition, work on vaccination is intensified and testing capacity is increased.
- We are introducing monitoring of the use of masks, and if the recommendation is not enough, we will consider a warrant. The situation may change. And it can happen quickly. Mutations changed the rules of the game several times. If there's anything we've learned from this pandemic, it is exactly that, Johansen concludes.
Source: Oslo kommune
Read our next article: MEPs will discuss the Pegasus spyware scandal