– We could in theory go straight and get on the plane and go home. No one stopped us or told us anything else. But of course we did not, Solveig Gulling (68) tells Dagbladet.
She and cohabitant Asbjørn Wahl (68) arrived in Norway after a month’s stay in South Africa, Thursday last week. It was several days after that the government introduced entry restrictions from eight countries in southern africa, due to the discovery of the probably much more contagious coronavirus variant, omicron.
Therefore, the cohabiting couple was shocked by what met them at Gardermoen.
ON TRAVEL: Solveig Gulling (68) and Asbjørn Wahl (70) arrived at Gardermoen on Thursday, after a month in South Africa. Photo: Private
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Great contrasts
– We had been to two airports in South Africa, and the stopover in Frankfurt. In all three places, they took the situation much more seriously than at Gardermoen. We think that was completely hopeless, Gulling says over the phone from a quarantine hotel at Gardermoen.
The contrasts became clear already when the couple was stowed in a “tjåka full” bus at the Norwegian main airport. Both in South Africa and in Germany, there were strict number restrictions on the buses at the airport.
– In South Africa, we did not even enter an airport without having to measure the temperature, show a corona certificate and a negative test. In Frankfurt we were met by the police. Here we also had to show test results and European corona pass.
Breeds: – Wild queue
Was not stopped
After the government Friday introduced entry restrictions for all foreign travelers before the weekend, it is now long queues at Norway’s main airport.
The day before, however, the situation was completely different.
– We were not stopped once.
Avinor, which operates Oslo Airport Gardermoen, adheres to guidelines from the authorities, says communications manager Joachim Westher Andersen.
– Avinor mainly informs travelers via digital surfaces, posters and speakers with messages about the general requirements and where they can find info on the authorities’ pages.
He further points out that the police are responsible for border control.
Announces new corona measures
Risks fines
The Ministry of Justice and Emergency Preparedness writes in an e-mail to Dagbladet that the police have put extra resources into border control, but that they do not control everyone who travels to Norway.
– We are still dependent on people themselves taking responsibility if they have been in areas with high infection. At the same time, everyone must be aware that the police carry out random checks and you may be asked to show a receipt for entry registration and a corona certificate, the ministry writes in an e-mail to Dagbladet.
The Ministry points out that the police can fine people who do not register upon entry, or test themselves. Foreigners can be expelled.
Chaotic at the test station
The couple says that they had read carefully about the current rules before the trip home. Among other things, they had filled in the entry form they were required to fill out. They knew they had to be tested on arrival, and they knew they had to be quarantined, as they came from one of eight countries in southern Africa.
Still, it was far from clear what they were going to do as they walked down the street.
– We had to find the test station ourselves. When we finally found it, we were greeted by three employees who had not received the necessary training. They did not know where South Africa was, because on the sign at the test station was written “South Africa” in English. They had no idea what to do with us. It was incredibly chaotic, even though we were almost alone there.
Gulling emphasizes that she does not want to hang out the employees at the test station, that it is the employer who is responsible for giving them the necessary training.
– It was just buzzing, and very unprofessional. Fortunately, an employee arrived. He knew what to do, and stood and completed the training with the others there and then.
– People are exhausted
Short notice
Dr. Dropin runs the test station. General manager Daniel Sørli writes in an e-mail to Dagbladet that he does not know the specific situation. He points out that the government on the same day as the couple arrived at Gardermoen, presented even stricter entry rules. They meant that everyone who comes to Norway must be tested, regardless of vaccine status.
– Then we had eight hours to scale up ten times our original capacity at Gardermoen. We have now called in all substitutes and have gone out of our way to recruit additional test personnel. I have no problem with those who contribute getting some of their training in the practical work. I understand that the travelers were finally taken care of after the book, and that is the most important thing, Sørli writes.
Ullensaker municipality is responsible for the test stations at the airport.
– When there are changes in the entry rules that entail a need to increase the test capacity from a few hundred to 4000-5000 a day, it goes without saying that there will be some challenges in recruiting personnel. Our experience is that Dr. Dropin, who is responsible for the testing for us, was quick to mobilize personnel, says municipal director of health care and social care, Gunnhild Grimstad-Kirkeby.
– Sensational
After completing both a quick test and a PCR test, the couple was finally shown to the quarantine hotel where they were to stay. But here too they experienced that the information was deficient. The hotel had not been informed that the two travelers were coming, Gulling says.
Only a day after arrival did the couple receive an information letter, after asking for it themselves.
– It is particularly startling that in South Africa there was so much more control. It was sad and disappointing to come home to this buzz.
Dagbladet has been in contact with the hotel in question, which states that check-in is done by a security company Ullensaker municipality has hired.
Municipal director of health care and social care, Gunnhild Grimstad-Kirkeby, answers this:
– Our hotels do not receive name lists from the airport. They are only told how many travelers are to be accommodated. These are registered when they check in. It is completely in line with our routines.
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– Confusing
At the quarantine hotel, the couple watched on Thursday night The “debate” on NRK. The Minister of Health and Care Services, Ingvild Kjerkol (Labor Party), said that the government tried to have “good and up-to-date travel advice” on the government’s website.
– It is not. It’s just confusing, the 68-year-old thinks.
After the journey home, Gulling has been in contact with both Ullensaker municipality and FHI, both to get information, but also to report the lack of border control.
– We’re not hysterical. We are doing well, but we think it is important to let people know about this.
– Some encouraging findings
Can contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs points out that everyone who is traveling should pay attention The Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ travel information and corona pandemic updates, as well as register on reiseegistrering.no, or in the app Reiseklar. Then the Ministry of Foreign Affairs can reach you, should the situation change.
– If you want further information about travel advice beyond this, you must contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the ministry writes in an e-mail to Dagbladet.
See the entire answer from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the fact box at the bottom of the case.
Same as in March 2020
The couple owns a holiday home in the South African coastal town of Knysna. They were also here during the pandemic outbreak in March 2020, when the Norwegian authorities asked Norwegians to come home. They followed the order, and landed at Gardermoen at that time as well.
– We experienced exactly the same thing now as when we evacuated from South Africa in March 2020. One would think that it was different now. It is to cry off.
Grimstad-Kirkeby in Ullensaker municipality says that throughout the pandemic they have gained a lot of experience, but that their challenge is always that rule changes come at fairly short notice.
– So it is not always so easy to plan for the changes we have to make in our logistics. Unfortunately, this is not something we can do anything about, says the municipal director.
The government has justified the short warnings with the need to act quickly.
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