Norway’s Health Minister: We will change the corona measures next week – but I can’t promise major relief

Minister of Health and Care Services Ingvild Kjerkol (AP) promises changes to the corona measures next week. But she can not promise major relief.

“There will be changes. But I do not think I can promise major relief with today’s level of infection. We make comprehensive assessments. Today, we have a national infection record,” Kjerkol told the newspaper Aftenposten.

Kjerkol also defended the quarantine rules for teachers – but noted that she understands the frustration.

Alcohol-serving ban

She noted that she feels the massive pressure to lift the alcohol-serving ban. However, she did not give the industry any immediate hope that there would be relief on January 14.

When it comes to the issue of allowing alcohol-serving until 10 PM as a potential option, she stated that the experiences from the last time this was attempted were not good.

“That is the reason why we followed the clear professional advice on stopping alcohol-serving. Research shows that alcohol influences behavior. It is difficult to maintain distance,” she said.

She told VG that it was a mistake that the Labor Party – together with the rest of the opposition parties – a year ago chose to overrule the government and abolish the ban by demanding that municipalities with low infection pressure be able to serve alcohol with food.

Kjerkol now acknowledges that the decision was not her proudest moment.

Source: © NTB Scanpix / #Norway Today / #NorwayTodayNews

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