Folkhälsomyndigheten, Sweden’s response to FHI, recommends that test requirements be introduced for travelers from China.
They thus follow countries such as Italy, France, Spain, Great Britain and the United States.
Sweden recently took over the leadership of the chairmanship of the EU, and has therefore called a meeting of the crisis management council (IPCR) on Wednesday.
If they get their way, common coronary restrictions will probably be introduced for all countries in the EU.
Critical to measures
TV 2 has asked several questions to the Swedish government. They refer to one press release where Social Affairs Minister Jakob Forssmed and Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer ask travelers from China to be prepared that measures may come quickly.
Here at home, Norway’s infection control authorities have been critical of new measures, and FHI believes there is no purpose in introducing restrictions aimed at Chinese tourists.
FOLLOWING: Infection control director Trygve Ottersen emphasizes that they follow developments in China very closely, and the need for any new measures. Photo: Jonas Been Henriksen / TV 2
– In terms of infection control, we do not see the purpose of this in Norway now beyond following and monitoring the development. We have good immunity in our population, and so far we have no reason to believe that entry restrictions will be effective in stopping the virus, says Director of Infection Control at FHI, Trygve Ottersen to TV 2.
– Dramatically
In addition to introducing testing requirements for Chinese tourists, several countries have announced that they want to test waste water from Chinese planes, in search of new virus variants.
– What is happening in China now is dramatic. A number of people are becoming critically ill and dying, and that should worry us, said Belgian Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke during a press conference on Monday.
Although the Minister of Health emphasizes that the infection situation in China does not currently pose a direct threat, Belgium is among the countries that are now taking steps to be a precaution.
Several tests stool
They are therefore going to test waste water from Chinese planes, when the country reopens for travel abroad.
This is confirmed by the authorities, according to the newspaper The Brussels Times.
From 5 January, Canada will also introduce a pilot project which analyzes waste water from planes arriving in the country from a number of regions around the world.
FHI has over a long period analyzed waste water, including the waste water in Ullensaker municipality, where Oslo Airport Gardermoen is located.
– We do not have any concrete plans to test wastewater from aircraft directly as of now, but we are considering ongoing adjustments in the monitoring, says Ottersen.
So far, the variants that have been detected in China are the same as those detected in Europe, emphasizes the director of infection control.
TESTS FROM AIRCRAFT: Several countries will test waste water from aircraft to detect new virus variants. Photo: Ole Berg-Rusten / NTB
FHI says that the coronavirus continues to develop into more infectious variants.
– In 2022, we have not seen that the many new variants have led to more serious illness. The situation in China is therefore not particularly worrying for Norway, but with a lot of contagion, we are following developments closely.
– Very different
Ottersen says that there are advantages to coordinated measures in Europe, but at the same time emphasizes that the situation, among other things when it comes to vaccination, is very different from country to country.
– Countries can also take into account considerations that are not based purely on infection control, he says.
TEST: Tourists from China will in many countries be met with demands for a negative corona test. Photo: Erik Johansen / NTB
The Ministry of Health and Welfare writes in an e-mail to TV 2 that Norway will also participate in Wednesday’s meeting.
– In general, Norway cooperates closely with both the EU and the WHO when it comes to international monitoring and handling of the pandemic, including the situation in China. We emphasize being closely coordinated with the rest of Europe, says Minister for Health and Care Ingvild Kjerkol (Ap).
The meeting takes place in the afternoon, and a representative from the EU delegation represents Norway, press adviser Marit Aspaas at the Norwegian EU delegation in Brussels tells TV 2.
FHI will continue to follow the discussions in the EU, and will take on board what is decided there, before giving advice to the government.
