24 March: The preventive measures against the coronavirus continues until 13 April

Press release: The City of Oslo will continue its initiatives against the spread of the coronavirus up to and including 13 April, in line with national directives.

Les denne pressemeldingen på norsk

Note: Information about measures taken against the spread of the coronavirus is changed on an ongoing basis. This means that the information in the press release may be outdated. You will find updated information on the web page coronavirus Information on the coronavirus and measures that have been implemented in the city of Oslo.

Since 28 February, the City government has been on emergency alert, and since 11 March this has been at the highest level. The City officials release updates about steps taken to prevent further spreading of the coronavirus.

News from the last 24 hours

  • The City of Oslo will continue its current preventive measures to stop the infection from spreading up to and including 13 April 2020.
  • Internet meeting for children with the Mayor and Vice Mayors on Wednesday 25 March.

The City of Oslo will continue all the current coronavirus actions up to and including 13 April

The City of Oslo’s initiatives to stop further spreading of the coronavirus will be continued until at least 13 April. The City will update its current regulations in step with the national guidelines as soon as soon as possible.

Oslo’s Executive Mayor, Raymond Johansen (Labour Party), said: "We’re changing our regulations now so that they agree with the new national requirements. From now on, workplaces must ensure that their staff and visitors keep at least two metres apart. In addition, the rules governing outdoor gatherings are now more restrictive: only five people can be together outdoors.”.

The measures that will be continued up to 13 April will include the following:

  • All kindergartens/day nurseries and schools will remain closed. Children of parents who have essential jobs, as well as vulnerable children, will receive childcare if needed. All the City’s libraries, cultural centres, sporting arenas, swimming pools, lodges, football grounds and museums are closed.
  • No serving of alcoholic drinks is permitted.
  • All employees working for the City of Oslo must work from home unless their jobs are essential for running our society, such as health service staff, fire brigades, water supply, sanitation, waste management and electricity supply, in addition to key administrative functions for the City Council

Internet meeting for children with the Mayor and Vice Mayors, 2 pm, Wednesday 25 March

Many children have questions about the current situation. Some children miss school, some feel insecure and others are getting bored. Other children are frightened by the situation.

We are now inviting children in Oslo to an Internet meeting with the Mayor, Marianne Borgen, the Vice Mayor for schools, Inga Marte Thorkildsen, and the Vice Mayor responsible for culture and sports, Rina Marian Hansen. Here children can ask direct questions. These three officials will answer questions and explain what is happening, what Norway’s decision-makers have said that we have to do, and what will happen in the coming days.

The Internet meeting will be streamed directly on the City of Oslo’s Facebook page and YouTube channel, from 2 pm on Wednesday 25 March.

The Internet meeting is also a good place for adults with children to obtain tips about how to talk to children about the situation. Questions can be sent in during the meeting by using the commentary box. Questions can also be sent in advance by e-mail, to barn@oslobystyre.no. Please mark e-mails “Nettmøte for barn”. We will try to answer all questions, either during the meeting or with a written reply.

Press contact

media@byr.oslo.kommune.no / +47 99 28 90 90 (not SMS)