– The shutdown must end – VG

After half a year with a closed capital, several parties have had enough.

Now the Liberal Party demands that Oslo be reopened:

– Throughout the pandemic, I and the Liberal Party have been loyal to the City Council’s decisions on the level of measures. But now it’s over. Now the people of Oslo must get their freedom back, says Hallstein Bjercke, group leader in the Liberal Party’s city council group.

During Wednesday’s city council meeting, Bjercke confronts city council leader Raymond Johansen – and wonders when that is enough.

– Now we believe that it is time to give the people of Oslo their freedom back. All data show that the closure of the city, which has lasted for half a year, must end, says Bjercke.

The measures are no longer proportionate, the Liberal Party believes:

Bjercke refers to the infection rates, hospitalization rates and that many in Oslo have been vaccinated. Now the infection rates in Oslo are declining, it shows VG’s corona overview. In the last week alone, the number of inpatients has fallen from 55 to 33.

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Hoping for brighter times

Raymond Johansen (Labor Party) replies that a press conference has been announced on Friday where he will explain this. Nevertheless, Johansen says:

– It is true that there is a positive development in the number of admissions, infections and vaccinated. Although the test numbers may be somewhat low. But we follow the development very closely, and will then announce on Friday about any relief.

Johansen shares Bjerke’s positive attitude, he says:

– I hope that there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and that it is not an oncoming train.

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– Is Oslo still at the breaking point?

Deputy leader of Oslo Venstre, Haakon Riekeles, reminds Johansen of what he said in February:

That he was worried about Oslo approached a breaking point. There is a limit to how much load people can carry.

– I have noticed that the city council leader has not talked about the breaking point so much lately, Riekeles points out – and asks if Johansen thinks that Oslo is still at the breaking point.

Johansen admits that he is worried:

– I am very worried about my mental health. Then I think that we are heading towards the summer, it is brighter and the vaccine is coming, contributes positively to the mental health. At the same time, the strict restrictions we have are a big, big burden for the city’s population.

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– FHI is quite strict

Despite unpredictability, must it opens up, demands Aina Stenersen (Frp).

The Conservatives are worried that the trade has not picked up, probably due to the home office – and believe that those who have been vaccinated should be able to return to the office.

Oslo KrF’s first candidate Espen Andreas Hasle questions whether one considers looking at how many people can safely gather in a room, for example during a religious event, rather than an absolute number limit.

Hasle points out that many churches and the opera have very large premises where many can gather safely.

Johansen answers that they want to limit the total mobility, and that this applies regardless of how large a room may be.

We are working hard with all the different measures, Johansen explains:

– Then I announced a press conference on Friday. In general, I can say that the Norwegian Directorate of Health and NIPH are quite strict when it comes to their feedback on what measures they want. Fortunately, they are advisory.

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