13 Desember: Red and yellow levels for kindergartens and schools in Oslo
Press release: – The COVID-19 infection rate among children and young people in Oslo is rising and the situation is more serious than ever. It is therefore crucial that we implement stronger measures that will also allow us to keep kindergartens and schools open, says Sunniva Holmås Eidsvoll, Vice Mayor for Education and Child Services.
– As of Thursday, there will be a yellow level of measures for kindergartens, primary schools and lower secondary schools and a red level for upper secondary schools, as announced by the Government. Oslo will continue its mass testing of pupils in Years 1 – 10, as well as kindergarten staff, says Sunniva Holmås Eidsvoll, Vice Mayor for Education and Child Services.
The Government’s press conference this evening presented clear guidelines for municipalities with high levels of infection. Many Oslo kindergartens and schools have had a high rate of absence among their employees due to illness or quarantine.
– There is a critical staff shortage in many kindergartens and schools. The stricter measures with the yellow and red levels may make it even more challenging to ensure responsible services while also following infection control measures. Due to the increased number of staff in quarantine, parents must prepare themselves for reduced kindergarten and school services and more digital instruction until the Christmas holidays. I am pleased that the Government will be prioritising testing for school employees and that they have asked us to prioritise school and kindergarten employees for the third vaccine dose, says Sunniva Holmås Eidsvoll.
In Oslo, this means:
- Tuesday 14 December: Kindergartens and schools will provide services at a green level. Most places will therefore have normal opening hours.
- Wednesday 15 December: Schools may have digital home instruction if they need time to prepare for the transition to a yellow level. Children in vulnerable life situations and children with parents who are critical workers will still be offered normal services. Pupils and parents will be given information about local measures by their schools.
- Thursday 16 December: Kindergartens and primary and lower secondary schools will be operating at a yellow level, while upper secondary schools will be at a red level. Schools and kindergartens will inform parents and pupils about opening hours and the form of instruction.
- The final day of school in Oslo, before the holidays, is still 21 December. There were no recommendations by the Norwegian Government or health authorities to extend the holiday for schools and kindergartens.
The City of Oslo has already implemented mass testing of all pupils in Years 1 to 10. This is an important measure for identifying infection at an early stage and for preventing the spread of infection. Mass testing will begin for the youngest pupils within the next few days.
– I am proud of the work all our employees do each day and of the creativity, dedication and practical skills I know they utilise to give children and young people the best possible services,” says Holmås Eidsvoll. “We realise that the new measures will be challenging for kindergartens, schools and for many parents.
Red and yellow levels indicate:
- For kindergartens:
The children will be divided into groups (cohorts) that will be separated as much as possible. Playgrounds will be divided into separate areas. Staff members must keep a safe distance and limit physical meetings.
- For primary schools:
A classroom will be considered a cohort. Schools will try to limit contact between pupils of different cohorts as much as possible. Playgrounds will be divided into separate areas. Staff members must keep a safe distance and limit physical meetings.
- For lower secondary schools:
A classroom will be considered a cohort. Schools will try to limit contact between pupils of different cohorts as much as possible. Pupils and staff members must have a limited number of contacts and keep track of these.
- For upper secondary schools:
The red level means that pupils will be divided into smaller groups and the schools will consider the need for partial digital instruction.
Contact
For the press:
Press contact
Karin Steenstrup
Phone: 905 64 454
E-mail: karin.steenstrup@byr.oslo.kommune.no
For the public:
Further navigation
All status reports from Oslo city council on coronavirus outbreak