The Prime Minister spoke about an increasing spread of infection in Norway and warns that more and more corona patients need care in the country.

He warns that healthcare is close to being overburdened.

A rapid increase in the number of seriously ill people can already in a few weeks lead to healthcare not being able to cope with the pressure, says Gahr Störe.   

- We had really hoped that we were done with the pandemic now.

And we had hoped in the end that Christmas could be as before and as usual, but now the situation is so serious that we have to take new measures, says Jonas Gahr Störe at a press conference.  

A maximum of 20 guests will be invited home once during the Christmas and New Year holidays, if everyone can keep a distance of one meter.

Other days apply to a maximum of 10 guests.

Even then, everyone must be able to keep a distance of one meter because the "one-meter rule" is reintroduced. 

Alcohol stop at midnight 

In all places where it is not possible to keep the distance, a requirement is introduced to wear a mouth guard.

For example, shops, public transport and restaurants are covered.  

Restaurants, taverns and bars with a serving license must have seating for all guests and may not sell alcohol after midnight. 

Homework and distance learning are recommended for certain professions and educations.

However, the restrictions and requirements do not apply to children who go to preschool and primary school. 

Concerns about omikron 

In early December, a cluster outbreak of the omicron variant of the coronavirus was registered in Oslo.

About 20 fully vaccinated Christmas table guests had been infected by the mutation. 

- The measures that will be introduced will slow down the spread of the omikron variant, says Minister of Health Ingvild Kjerkol (AP) at the press conference.  

Minister of Finance Trygve Slagsvold Vedum (SP) also announces that the state will pay for corona-related sick leave from day six.  

On Tuesday, 320 corona-infected patients were admitted to hospitals in Norway.

This is an increase of 25 patients from the day before.