29 October: New Corona regulations approved in Oslo

Press release: The City Government approved changes in the regulations to prevent Corona infections in Oslo. The changes in regulations were announced on Monday and they aim to prevent increased infection spreading through reduced social contact.

– We must do everything possible to avoid ending up in the situation faced by other European cities. That’s why we must limit our mobility and social contacts in the coming period. It is important that we stop the spread of infections quickly, in order to protect our most vulnerable citizens. With high levels of infection, it will be hard to prevent infections amongst old people and other vulnerable groups, said the Governing Mayor, Raymond Johansen (Labour).

As from 12 noon, Thursday 29 October, the following new rules apply in Oslo:

  • Compulsory face masks indoors when you cannot keep a metre’s distance in shops, public spaces in shopping centres, bars and restaurants, religious buildings and venues for cultural and sporting activities. Obligatory face masks do not apply for those who are physically active or for briefly passing other people.
  • Compulsory face masks in bars and restaurants serving alcohol, when it is not possible to keep a metre’s distance from each other, apart from members of the same household. Employees must use face masks in all areas where guests have access. For bars and restaurants that do not serve alcohol, the rules for face masks are the same as for public spaces.
  • Bars and restaurants must not admit new guests after 10 pm (22.00 hrs). This means that guests can stay from whenever they arrive before 10 pm until closing time. Alcohol must not be served after midnight (24.00 hrs).
  • Upper limit of 20 people at all indoor events in Oslo which do not have fixed seating. The national regulations give an upper limit of 50.
  • Compulsory home office working, implying that employers should ensure that their staff work from home as far as is practically possible. Employers must document that their staff have been informed about how home office working will be implemented. Compulsry home office working applies for all workplaces in Oslo. Residents of Oslo who work in another municipality must follow this municipality’s rules.

In addition to the national infection prevention measures, the City Government is continuing the following, existing anti-Corona measures in Oslo:

  • Ban on private gatherings with more than 10 people in private homes
  • Compulsory facemasks on public transport when you cannot keep one metre distance
  • No alcohol to be served after midnight (24.00)
  • Restrictions on recreational teamsports for adults
  • Maximum 200 people at indoor events with fixed seating
  • Maximum 200 people at outdoor events

The Governing Mayor Raymond Johansen emphasised that clear and serious breaches of the City’s infection-prevention regulations will be followed up.

– These rules are intrusive for people’s lives. We will allow businesses and residents a little time to adjust to the new rules, but we will report any serious breaches. Especially at events where the infection prevention regulations are not adhered to, Johansen said.

Johansen emphasised that Oslo’s residents have for the most part been very good at following the pandemic measures. He thanks the people of Oslo for following up and observing the anti-Corona measures in Oslo.

– I am grateful to the people of Oslo for all their efforts so far. And I hope that these measures will stop any outbreaks of the pandemic, such as those we have seen recently, said Johansen.

Press contact

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

Further navigation

All status reports from Oslo city council on coronavirus outbreak

Everything on the coronavirus outbreak