The UDI had to buy more asylum reception centers because of the Corona crisis

Despite the fact that Norway is likely to receive the lowest number of asylum applications in over 30 years this year, UDI (Norwegian Directorate of Immigration) has purchased new reception centers, partly because of the Corona crisis.

In April, 35 people applied for asylum in Norway, according to NRK.

“We may be entering a period when the number of asylum seekers is lower than usual. But there may also be an increase later, because there is a queue of asylum seekers who are now unable to cross borders due to the corona restrictions in Norway and the rest of Europe,” says Director Frode Forfang of the UDI to NRK .

In order to safeguard the infection prevention measures, the UDI had to expand its capacity.

“Many of our reception centers were full and cramped. Several residents shared showers and bathrooms. In order to safeguard infection control, we had to spread the residents more. In addition, we had to make it possible to conduct isolation and quarantine as needed,” says Forfang.

In Larvik a reception center with up to 200 places has been established following a tender competition at Easter.

© NTB Scanpix / #Norway Today