– Even though the infection rates have flattened out recently and seem to be declining, there is no doubt that the infection rates we have now are very high when you look at the corona pandemic as a whole. It is still not entirely certain how Easter has affected the infection situation in the city, and this week Ramadan starts, which like Easter can also contribute to infection.
This is what the city council leader in Oslo, Raymond Johansen (Labor Party) says to Dagbladet before the Muslim holiday which starts on Tuesday.
The city council further says that the municipality has had a good dialogue with both the city’s mosques and the Muslim networks in the city, to ensure that they have updated and correct information in several languages about which regulations apply.
– The mosques work well with this, but it is very important that everyone, this year as last year, avoids the traditional big meals after sunset which under normal circumstances would gather many people. Unfortunately, it does not work this year. Here the municipalities play on a team with the mosques, but we are completely dependent on them disseminating information to their members.
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Dialogue meetings
Throughout the pandemic, the City Council has had dialogue meetings with several different immigrant organizations and religious communities. Most recently last Friday, Ramadan was the topic of one of these meetings.
– In the meeting, the municipality presented what we have of information material and campaigns that are translated into different languages, and the organizations announced what they intend to do. Many submitted good plans, and they were encouraged to review their websites and the information they publish so that it is up to date and in line with the rules that apply now, says Johansen.
The City Council has great faith that the vast majority will follow the rules.
– At the same time, we are very clear in our communication: It is forbidden to more than two guests in Oslo now, and those who break this can be fined by the police. Unfortunately, the most important thing is to avoid being hit. Then we know that this is what is almost most important during Ramadan, so we have placed emphasis on informing about other and alternative ways to mark the holiday.
