Letter from the Mayor and the Governing Mayor of Oslo

Letter from from Marianne Borgen, Mayor, and Raymond Johansen, Governing Mayor, to the people of Oslo about the Corona outbreak.

Read this letter in Norwegian

Dear Oslo

This is a very special time for our city, for Norway and for the world. These are demanding days for us. Perhaps the days and weeks to come will demand even more.

We have put Oslo on hold. Closing kindergartens, schools, restaurants and cafés and many other businesses has major consequences for each and every one of us and for the greater society. Many have lost their income or are laid off from work. Unemployment is rising, and the consequences for business and industry are dramatic to say the least.

If we all comply with the advice given by health authorities, our society will be able to quickly return to normal. If we keep our distance from each other, stay at home and wash our hands frequently we contribute to preventing the infection from spreading. Now we are depending on all of us to work together and help each other.

Fortunately, most of the people who are infected only have mild symptoms from the coronavirus. For others, particularly elderly inhabitants and people with other illnesses, the virus can be dangerous. The strict measures have been introduced in solidarity with those at risk. We are doing this to save lives, and to enable the health services to help all those who need it. We need the capacity to help our inhabitants with other illnesses than the Coronavirus.

We do not know how long this will last, but we do know that the measures we have launched are preventing the spread of the infection. We will return to our normal daily lives.

Perhaps you have neighbours and friends who find the situation even more demanding. Many will find it more difficult when schools and kindergartens are closed. There may be more conflicts within families. Therefore we urge everyone to care more about others. Keep track of how neighbours, friends and family are doing. Even if we need to maintain distance between us, it is important that we continue to care about each other. Perhaps you could check whether someone needs help walking the dog, go to the shops or have a chat on the phone?

Oslo has been changed in only a few days. We are grateful and impressed by how all of you have tackled this! Health personnel are making a tremendous first-line effort. Thousands have reported for work as health personnel or as volunteers. Many people are working hard to ensure that our city continues to function. We cannot thank all of you enough.

It is when we are really put to the test that we truly recognise the strength of standing together. Perhaps we see more clearly what is really important to us. Continue to follow the advice of the authorities, care for each other and look to the future. We will manage to get through this together.

Warm greetings from Marianne Borgen, Mayor and Raymond Johansen, Governing Mayor

Steps you can take to prevent infection

  • Maintain good hand and coughing hygiene, avoid touching your face
  • Wash your hands often and thoroughly with soap and water, alternatively use disinfectant containing alcohol
  • Avoid coughing or sneezing on others
  • Use a tissue or the crook of your elbow when you cough or sneeze, and wash your hands afterwards
  • Avoid shaking hands, and do not kiss or hug outside your home
  • Maintain a distance to others, at work, outdoors and wherever you are
  • Limit the number of persons you are in contact with and your number of visitors to only a few
  • Healthy children can be together outdoors and indoors, but in small groups
  • Respect the rules about quarantine and self-isolation
  • If you have a fever or respiratory symptoms, you should stay isolated at home for 24 hours after you have recovered and are healthy again

Only call the Emergency Room (ER) or ambulance service if you need emergency assistance

We need help in giving priority to our most vulnerable inhabitants. Do you have mild Coronavirus symptoms? Stay home, do not call the ER or ambulance service. This is important to ensure that those who need emergency help will get it.

Keep updated

For information about the measures initiated by the City of Oslo, criteria for testing and updated status on how we are working with the Coronavirus outbreak in Oslo, go to our website www.oslo.kommune.no and follow our Facebook site www.fb.com/oslo.

Other contact points:

  • For information about the Coronavirus: www.helsenorge.no
  • The website of the Norwegian Institute of Public Health: www.fhi.no
  • The Directorate of Health’s information telephone about the Coronavirus: 815 55 015
  • "Frivillighetens" (Voluntary NGO) Corona hotline for advice and guidelines: 23 21 00 80

Telephone lines for advice, guidelines and someone to talk to:

If you suspect abuse or violence against children and young persons:

You may call the Corona hotline for Oslo inhabitants if you satisfy the criteria for testing: