Norway’s health minister asks neighbouring areas to copy Oslo coronavirus restrictions
As Oslo introduces mandatory face mask use on congested public transport and other measures to slow the spread of coronavirus, health minister Bent Høie has asked municipalities near the capital to follow suit.
Stricter measures against the spread of Covid-19 were announced on Monday by Oslo City Council. The city has seen a recent increase in positive tests for the coronavirus.
Høie summoned on Monday Oslo and all surrounding municipalities to an online meeting regarding the level of current measures relating to Covid-19 spread in the area, NRK reports.
“We have had a good meeting with Oslo and the surrounding municipalities. It is necessary for municipalities around Oslo to introduce several of the measures,” Høie said.
READ ALSO: Oslo introduces new coronavirus restrictions: here's what you need to know
“I have asked them to used Oslo’s range of measures as the basis for their work and asked them to coordinate, such that residents in the greater region… experience measures that are coordinated,” he continued.
Representatives in the bordering municipalities have responded positively to Høie’s request, according to NRK’s report.
“We have an infection situation in Oslo which means that we as closest neighbour should have this focus, and that is something we want,” Bærum Municipality spokesperson Lisbeth Hammer Krog told the broadcaster.
Other municipalities represented at the meeting include Asker and Nordre Follo.
“We have not yet taken a position on this politically, but personally I think Oslo has taken good measures that can help reduce infections. It is also relevant for people living in our region have similar measures, at least when it comes to public transport”, Nordre Follo Municipality councillor Hanne Opdan said to NRK.
The Nordre Follo municipal leadership has been invited to meet on Wednesday to discuss the matter, the broadcaster reports.
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Stricter measures against the spread of Covid-19 were announced on Monday by Oslo City Council. The city has seen a recent increase in positive tests for the coronavirus.
Høie summoned on Monday Oslo and all surrounding municipalities to an online meeting regarding the level of current measures relating to Covid-19 spread in the area, NRK reports.
“We have had a good meeting with Oslo and the surrounding municipalities. It is necessary for municipalities around Oslo to introduce several of the measures,” Høie said.
READ ALSO: Oslo introduces new coronavirus restrictions: here's what you need to know
“I have asked them to used Oslo’s range of measures as the basis for their work and asked them to coordinate, such that residents in the greater region… experience measures that are coordinated,” he continued.
Representatives in the bordering municipalities have responded positively to Høie’s request, according to NRK’s report.
“We have an infection situation in Oslo which means that we as closest neighbour should have this focus, and that is something we want,” Bærum Municipality spokesperson Lisbeth Hammer Krog told the broadcaster.
Other municipalities represented at the meeting include Asker and Nordre Follo.
“We have not yet taken a position on this politically, but personally I think Oslo has taken good measures that can help reduce infections. It is also relevant for people living in our region have similar measures, at least when it comes to public transport”, Nordre Follo Municipality councillor Hanne Opdan said to NRK.
The Nordre Follo municipal leadership has been invited to meet on Wednesday to discuss the matter, the broadcaster reports.
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