From the New Year, employees in schools and kindergartens were exempted from quarantine during working hours. This means that they can go to work, but must test themselves on the third and seventh day in quarantine. For Marit Vatnem Ingebrigtsen, who has a term of two weeks, this will mean that the man may have to go to work on the day she gives birth, without being allowed to attend the delivery room.
– It feels quite likely that my husband will end up in the leisure quarantine, or that we will get an infection in the house. How can you protect yourself now, really ?, she asks.
The Haugesund-resident couple also have two children aged four and seven, respectively, which increases the risk that some of them will end up in quarantine.
Marit’s husband does not want to be interviewed, but is aware that Dagbladet covers their case.
Want measures against unvaccinated
– It is a stressful moment that I may have to give birth alone. It is very unpredictable – as it is for many. I spend a lot of time thinking about this until birth, that I have to prepare to give birth alone, she says.
– Frustrating
It is not the quarantine scheme itself that is the biggest problem, Marit believes. The challenge is that employees at the school are exempt from the usual quarantine rules, and can go to work from day one.
– It is frustrating to think that my husband may have to be at work and have several close contacts, but not be allowed to attend the birth on the same day. The quarantine scheme affects unevenly. There have been many restrictions for women giving birth in the first place, and then there are some of the last ones that are taken away, she says.
Ante nothing
She is unsure whether there is a corona infection in the kindergarten or the children’s school, but it is an infection at the school where the man works and several of his colleagues are in leisure-time quarantine. Now, when the school is at the red level, he has fewer close contacts – but if upper secondary schools go over to the yellow level, the number of close contacts will increase considerably. Along with the risk of ending up in quarantine.
– I can also end up in quarantine and then I may have to give birth in isolation, regardless of whether I am infected or not.
Sees the importance of fewer school restrictions
The couple has talked about how they can reduce the likelihood of him ending up in leisure quarantine. He is also in dialogue with the employer about the possibility of facilitation at work, so that the chance that he ends up in the leisure quarantine is as small as possible.
– But it is not desirable for students with more digital education. There is also no reason enough to take out a sick note, he is not sick. The employer will try to facilitate, then we will see what the result will be, she says, and adds:
– I absolutely see that it is important for the students that you now go over to the yellow level. I do not mean that there should be stricter rules in school. What I am concerned about is that one should ease the restrictions for those giving birth.
Important for safety
Marit is giving birth for the third time, and says that she will be able to give birth without her husband if she has to. But she thinks a lot about first-time mothers.
Closes two hospitals after corona scandal
– It is so unpredictable, and can change from one day to the next. For me, it is also important to have him with me, for the safety during birth. And to share the moment after. If something should happen, it is also a security to have the father of the child with you, she says.
– Is it not also understandable that the hospital does not want quarantined people in the maternity ward?
– Yes, I fully understand when it comes to people who have been diagnosed with corona. But when you can meet at work with a test, and have many close contacts, it is strange that having a father at birth is not a priority. It has now been almost two years with intervention measures also for mothers, she answers.
