Advertisement

Today in Norway For Members

Today in Norway: A roundup of the latest news on Thursday 

Frazer Norwell
Frazer Norwell - [email protected]
Today in Norway: A roundup of the latest news on Thursday 
Bergen's world famous harbour during the summer sun. Photo by Agent J on Unsplash "

Find out what’s going on in Norway on Thursday with The Local’s short roundup of important news. 

Advertisement

New Covid measures in Bergen

Following a rise in coronavirus infections in Bergen, the city council in the former Norwegian capital have introduced stricter Covid measures until August 22nd. 

“The infection has spread throughout the population. Anyone can be infected anywhere. This is not a situation we want to be in. Therefore, we are now introducing new measures,” acting city council leader Lubna Boby Jaffrey said at a press conference. 

Face masks will now be mandatory in public places, public transport and sports and leisure settings. 

The number of people allowed to gather at home has also been slashed. The maximum number of people permitted to meet indoors at private gatherings will be 10. 

In addition to this, employees that are dependent on public transport to travel to work will be asked to work from home where possible. 

Government to foot the bill for Covid testing at freshers events

The government will be covering the cost of rapid testing at freshers events when universities open their campuses to students next week. 

Advertisement

The government wants extensive testing to be in place before social events at universities to give students a safe but as normal start as possible to university life. 

“We recommend that all students who will participate in events test themselves,” Henrik Asheim, universities minister, told VG. 

Organisers of events such as concerts can enter an agreement with a private test provider to offer rapid tests before an event. The government will then cover the costs of this and reimburse the organisers of the event.

Are you starting university soon? Click here to look at our top tips for finding a student home in Norway. 

NIPH expects the number of fully vaccinated admitted to hospital to rise  

In its latest weekly report, the Norwegian Institute of Public Health has said it expects the number of fully vaccinated patients to be admitted to hospital with Covid-19 to rise. 

The prediction follows a rise in the number of patients admitted to hospital with coronavirus. Currently, 29 people are in hospital with coronavirus in Norway. 

The reason for this is the same as why the NIPH expects the number of fully vaccinated people infected with Covid to rise, and that is the proportion of fully vaccinated people rising rather than any issues with vaccine effectiveness. 

READ ALSO: Why the number of fully vaccinated in Norway testing positive for Covid-19 will rise

Advertisement

Meteor shower tonight

Stargazers will be able to spot up to 120 meteors per hour during the Perseids meteor shower tonight if the weather stays clear. 

The best forecast is over in the west in the county of Møre and Romsdal for tonight’s shower. 

Skywatchers are encouraged to look in a northeasterly direction to see most of the action, turn off any lights or torches, and give their eyes 30 minutes to adapt to their surroundings.

NHS Covid passes accepted from today

From 3pm today, Norway will officially recognise the NHS Covid app as proof of vaccination, allowing fully vaccinated travellers from England and Wales to freely enter Norway without the need to quarantine, test or register their entry. 

Vaccine certificates from Scotland and Northern Ireland will not be accepted until a verifiable digital solution is in place for these nations. 

The rules for travellers without a vaccine pass will remain the same, meaning entry will be restricted to residents, citizens and the close family and partners of residents and citizens. 

READ MORE: Norway announces when it will begin accepting NHS Covid passes

589 new Covid cases 

On Wednesday, 589 new coronavirus infections were registered in Norway, 77 fewer cases than the day before but 123 higher than the seven-day average. 

In Oslo, 126 Covid-19 cases were recorded, 51 more than the average for the previous seven days.

Total number of Covid-19 cases in Norway. Source: NIPH

More

Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.

Please log in to leave a comment.

See Also