From midnight until March 15, restaurants and shops in the Norwegian capital will close. Oslo residents are encouraged to meet friends — but only outdoors.
This weekend, the Norwegian Institute of Public Health announced that the virus variant first discovered in the UK now accounts for 50–70 percent of new cases of Covid-19 in Oslo.
In light of this, the capital's municipal leadership announced yesterday, Sunday, that restaurants and shops — grocery stores, pharmacies and Vinmonopolet excepted — will be closed to stop the spread of the infection. Outdoor events are banned and special rules are introduced to reduce the risk of infection on construction sites.
”"The new virus variants are spreading faster than previous variants. This means that we now have to tighten infection control measures," said the chairman of the municipal board, Raymond Johansen (Labor Party), in a press release on Sunday.
Oslo residents are advised not to socialize indoors, except with members of their own household. But company is still important, according to Johansen, who recommends meeting friends for a walk.
”"It's good for mental health. We know that the virus is less contagious outdoors. But keep your distance," he said at Sunday's press conference.
The new measures come into effect at midnight on Tuesday and will be in effect until March 15. But already on Monday, upper secondary schools and adult education switched from yellow to red level, which means increased distance learning.
”"We see that the infection has increased fivefold in the age group 16 to 19 years in the last two weeks," says knowledge citizen councilor Inga Marte Thorkildsen.
Several of Oslo's neighboring municipalities are now considering following the capital's example. Both Lillestrøm and Lørenskog will decide on stricter restrictions on Wednesday.
Bærum has also announced stricter measures. Otherwise, chairwoman Lisbeth Hammer Krog (Høyre) fears that Oslo residents will cross the municipal border to shop and go to restaurants.
”"We have to take that into account in our considerations. National health authorities are very keen for the municipalities near Oslo to coordinate their measures," she says.
Source: TT
