Stuck on quarantine exceptions for employees in schools and kindergartens – VG

Despite massive criticism of new quarantine rules for school and kindergarten employees: Tonje Brenna believes that quarantine exceptions at work are necessary to keep schools and kindergartens open.

Tonje Brenna (Labor Party) and the government have received buckets of criticism for the new quarantine rule which gives employees in schools, after-school clubs and kindergartens exemptions from the infection quarantine during working hours. In practice, this means that employees who have been in close contact with an infected person can go to work, but must be quarantined in their spare time.

– The alternatives here are either to provide for a possible comprehensive closure of schools and kindergartens, or to ensure that kindergartens and schools remain open to the greatest possible extent. We prioritize children and young people and open kindergartens and schools. It is important for the children and it is important to keep the wheels of society moving. Therefore, teachers are now prioritized for the refresher dose and therefore they also get exemption from quarantine during working hours, says Brenna to VG.

Last out among the critics is Mette Nord in the country’s largest union, Fagforbundet, which believes that employees in schools and kindergartens should have the same quarantine rules as the general population.

– The decision that came on Monday from the government was surprising. We believe the introduction of new rules must be postponed until after they have been discussed with the parties in working life, says Nord to VG on Tuesday.

She leads the largest trade union in LO, and is part of the labor movement to which the Minister of Education also belongs.

But Minister Tonje Brenna (Labor Party) insists on the new quarantine exception even though all of the employees’ organizations react.

– I understand well that they react to that. At the same time, I must remind you that it is a measure that balances the need for open schools and kindergartens with the need for infection control, frequent testing – and that school and kindergarten employees receive the third vaccine dose, she says in an interview with VG on Tuesday.

– Do not these new quarantine rules for school and kindergarten employees really mean that you send them out where there is a lot of infection, without infection control equipment?

– Yes, unfortunately it can be experienced like this for many. But we must remember that vaccines provide protection. Therefore, comprehensive and frequent testing and vaccination, including dose three, is the way out of this. We must gradually consider the use of quarantine when we learn more about how these measures work, Brenna answers.

– Take dose 3 as soon as possible

– Why are these new quarantine rules coming this Christmas – when you otherwise do not want to change the traffic light levels towards the start of school?

– We introduced new measures for schools and kindergartens in mid-December. Then the message was also that we would make a new assessment before school starts in the new year. We have now done so, and the professional bodies NIPH and the Norwegian Directorate of Health have advised the government that exceptions from the quarantine during working hours for employees in schools and kindergartens can be implemented.

– Several school and kindergarten employees have not yet been given a dose of three. What about them when schools and kindergartens start up again?

– It should preferably take 20 weeks between dose two and dose three for the best protection of the vaccine. But the school and kindergarten employees who have not yet been given a dose of three, should be allowed to do this as soon as possible, preferably this Christmas. Many places report that they lack arms to stick in – not vaccines.

– The grip grasped in part

– What do you want to say to kindergarten teachers and teachers who are going to work and interact with infectious children and young people – perhaps without having taken a booster dose?

– I understand what they’re saying. There have been two challenges, both with the basic staffing from before – and the infection situation. We have taken on a number of things that will make it easier in the future, including covering the school owners’ additional expenses for substitutes and overtime as well as using students and pensioners, Brenna answers.

She continues:

– Exceptions for quarantine during working hours will also help somewhat. We must also keep in mind that children and young people and those who have been vaccinated rarely become seriously ill from the virus. Fortunately, we know that those who are vaccinated with two doses are well protected against serious illness. We have contact-reducing measures in society first and foremost to protect an overloaded health service, Brenna reminds.

– Will the government consider reversing the decision on exemption from working time quarantine after the massive criticism?

– We will receive a new assessment from the professional bodies in week 2. Then we will look at the entirety of the measures, Brenna answers briefly.

Thank the teachers – even if it provokes

She has noticed that the teachers ‘and kindergarten teachers’ largest union, Utdanningsforbundet, warns that there may be long and many leisure quarantines in the weeks ahead.

– Can it not easily be the result of the quarantine exception during their working hours?

– Yes, it may be the reality for some, but the vast majority will receive the third dose in a short time and then you get an exception from the quarantine rules. It is important for me to say that I hope that employees in schools and kindergartens have had a good Christmas where they have had some rest. I know it provokes many, but I want to say thank you to them anyway. Much of society would have stopped if these occupational groups did not go to work, Brenna answers.

She believes that employees must have confidence that the third vaccine and testing will help them to continue to go to work.

– Worries me a lot

Tonje Brenna has been Minister of Education for two and a half months. She makes no secret of the fact that she thinks the situation is now demanding. Especially for students with a school characterized by changing traffic light levels, canceled exams, home school and high teacher absenteeism.

– It worries me very much. All children and young people need to go to school together. They need to be included – and work with others. Many high school students have never had an exam. It worries me too – considering what the exam means in their further education. At the same time, we know little about the consequences the pandemic school has had for the students when it comes to loss of learning and such things. For me, it is important that all children and young people have a kindergarten or school offer, she says.

She got the pandemic turn in her lap just a few weeks after she stepped down as minister on 14 October.

– I was prepared for the fact that there would be some mark of this also in my time. Omikron variants give you smash and a new twist. We knew little about it. The situation quickly became acute again. At the same time, I experience a tiredness – which comes from measures and a two-year-old pandemic. This makes it extra demanding to communicate what and why the government acts as we do, she says.

– Maybe you did not intend to become one of several pandemic ministers?

– I saw that this would be an essential part of my work as Minister of Education. I wish it was not like that, but I’m hardly alone. We’re probably all tired of the pandemic now.

– Have you and yours been infected?

– We had an infection in the family this summer. Otherwise, there has been little infection in both the kindergarten and the school where my children go. Right now, on Christmas Eve, we have been affected by family illnesses.

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