Norway opens up

But Prime Minister Erna Solberg warns lockdown relaxation could be reversed

Photo: Fredrik Hagen / NTB scanpix Erna Solberg warned Norwegians to remain cautious as coronavirus restrictions are lifted.

THE LOCAL

Prime Minister Erna Solberg has warned that if Norwegians relax their efforts to slow the spread of coronavirus, the government could be forced to reverse the relaxations of recent weeks.

“If we are careless, it could have serious consequences for others. In the worst case, we will need to tighten the measures again,” she said at her weekly press conference. “This is not the time to relax. We’ve got to hold on a little longer.”

During the last week of April, Norway opened schools for the first four grades, while hairdressers, beauticians, and other one-on-one professions also opened up. 

But Solberg said that the announcement from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health that the pandemic was under control in the country and the continuing decline in hospital numbers did not mean the challenge was over.  “The fact that we have low numbers now does not guarantee that the infection rates will remain low in the future. That’s an important message from me. We can’t lower our shoulders. We still have to work hard to keep control of the infection.”

This article originally appeared in the May 8, 2020, issue of The Norwegian American. To subscribe, visit SUBSCRIBE or call us at (206) 784-4617.