During the ongoing Corona-virus pandemic a lot of different advice hs been appearing across various information channels. Different countries have chosen different approaches on how to reduce the spread of the virus. As the real-time scenario constantly shifts, the measures taken within Norway also change day-to-day. This page is set up to provide all non-Norwegian speakers with good sources of information to follow while in Norway.
We are here for all of our members and clients with a result-oriented approach to any issues that arise. Do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.
What to do when quarantined?
The Norwegian Institute of Public Health state that:
Home quarantine for people without symptoms of COVID-19 but who have been in close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 or people who have been abroad during the last 14 days
This means that if you have been travelling abroad in the last 14 days, you must be on home quarantine. Home quarantine is a measure that aims at minimizing an individual's contact with others, to limit the possibility the virus will spread. It is not the same as isolation, but ideally as close as possible.
if you have been travelling abroad in the last 14 days, you must be on home quarantine.
When under home quarantine one should remain inside as much as possible. One is allowed to leave the house to go for walks, but need to maintain 1-2 meter distance to all other people. If you have nobody that can buy food for you, you can go to the grocery store and the pharmacy for medicines. Remember not to touch items in the grocery store that you will not buy. Avoid queues. The police are authorized to penalize persons that break the quarantine rules with fines up to NOK 20 000 for a first offence and 15 days in jail for subsequent offences.
You can read the official advice in this article at the NIPH website. Note: that other restrictions may be imposed on the public that will change what you can and cannot do while in home quarantine. Examples: curfew or lock-down.
What do to if not quarantined?
If you have not been to any of the areas with high outbreaks of the COVID-19 virus or been in close contact with anyone that has tested positive to the virus you are not required to be quarantined. However, the government does urge you to minimize contact with others to help reduce the spread of the virus. This includes working from home if you can, keeping distance from people around you and taking precautions not to expose yourself to the risk of helping the virus spread.
Do I need to stockpile food?
The short answer is no. There is no need to hoard food. The authorities and the grocery store chains have asked people to buy what only what they need - as normal. The supply chain is expected to be sustained and new food will arrive regularly in the shops.
The general advice to all homes from The Directorate for Civil Protection (DSB) is to make sure that you have enough fresh water and food to stay without any new supplies for three days (72 hours). For more information from the DSB you can read this article on their website.
In case you happen to fall ill, it might be good to have some extra dried or canned food that can keep longer so that you don’t need to go to the grocery store before recovering. What to do if you get corona-symptoms?
If you are coughing and having respiratory infections you should stay inside until you have gone more than one full day without any symptoms. If you are in any of the risk groups (over the age of 65, adults with underlying disease and smokers) and are experiencing symptoms you might get tested for the virus.
If you have a national ID number and a personal doctor assigned (fastlege) - you should call your doctor’s office. Do not go there in person.
Your doctor will arrange the testing for you if necessary. Special testing locations have been set up around the country, so again, do not go to the doctor’s office, medical centre or hospital.
If you do not have a doctor assigned, you have to call the emergency room (legevakten) at phone number 116 117.
Do not use the emergency number 113. This number is for those that need immediate medical attention only.
Your main source of official information during these times:
NOTE: This article will be updated to help answer more questions and be adapted to the latest scenarios. However, we are unable to keep it updated in real-time and there may be inaccurate information in this article at any given time. Therefore, if you have any questions, feel free to contact us!