Regulations on Infection Control Measures to Prevent the Spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) within the Municipality of Lier
Established by the Chief Municipal Executive for the Municipal of Lier on 09.11.2020 pursuant to the Norwegian Communicable Diseases Control Act, Section 4-1, by authority of the municipal council of Lier; see the decision of 05.11.2020.
Section 1 Scope
These regulations apply to all businesses and persons who reside in the Municipality of Lier at any given time.
Section 2 Relationship to national rules
The national rules for infection control measures and amendments to the Norwegian COVID-19 Regulations which are more severe than the provisions stated in these regulations shall take precedence over these regulations. The national rules and guidelines shall apply when these regulations do not provide adequate or special rules, including the COVID-19 Regulations.
Section 3 Public Transport
The Municipality of Lier is asking people to avoid the use of public transport for the time being. If public transport is nevertheless used, special attention must be paid to complying with applicable national rules and guidelines for infection control and considering the needs of fellow travellers. See Section 5 for further rules on the use of face masks on public transport.
Section 4 Home Office and Meeting Activities
Employers should ensure that employees work from home whenever possible and practicable. Employers must be able to document that employees have been informed as to how this will be carried out at their company. The national rules and guidelines for infection control also apply to places of work, places meetings and courses, seminars and the like.
Section 5 Mandatory face mask
Face masks should be used when it is not possible to maintain a distance of one meter to others (not including those living in your household) in grocery stores, shops, in common areas of shopping centers, at food and beverage outlets, in houses of faith and belief and in premises for cultural, sports and leisure activities. This does not apply to passing others on the street or in these places. The mandatory use of face masks does not apply to those engaged in physical activity.
The mandatory use of face masks also applies to employees in places where it is not possible to maintain a distance of one meter from visitors/customers. This does not apply to employees in places where other infection control measures have been implemented for employees – such as the use of visors, partitions etc. in accordance with the recommendations of the Norwegian Institute of Public Health.
Passengers on public transport should use a face mask when it is not possible to maintain a distance of one meter to fellow travellers. This also applies to indoor station areas. Passengers shall use a face mask in taxis. The face mask must be put on before the passenger enters the taxi and should not be taken off until the journey has ended and the passenger has exited the taxi. The mandatory use of face masks also applies to the driver when there are passengers in the taxi.
The mandatory use of face masks does not apply to children under the age of 12, or persons who for medical or other reasons cannot use a face mask. The recommendations issued by the Norwegian Institute of Public Health concerning the use of face masks shall apply accordingly.
Section 6 Food and Beverage Outlets
Food and beverage outlets in the Municipality of Lier can stay open if they meet the requirements for proper operation of food outlets as stated in the Norwegian COVID-19 Regulations. Guests are not allowed into these premises after 22:00 hrs. See Section 5 for further rules on the use of face masks in food and beverage outlets. Serving alcohol pursuant to chapter 4 of the Alcohol Act shall cease at 22:00. Consumption of alcoholic beverages served at these premises shall cease no later than 22:30.
The municipality may close food or beverage outlets that do not comply with the requirements for infection control and protection concerning proper operation and other requirements set in the regulations; cf. Section 4-1(3) of the Communicable Diseases Control Act.
Section 7 Gatherings in private homes, leisure homes and assembly halls
It is not permitted to arrange or attend private gatherings with more than 5 guests, in addition to the members of the household. Two households can meet, however, regardless of the number of household members.
Children and young people belonging to the same kindergarten or school cohort can meet.
In any case, the areas must be dimensioned so anyone who is not in the same household or in the same kindergarten or school cohort can remain at a minimum distance of 2 meters to each other.
Section 8 Other gatherings/events
It is not permitted to host or attend events, whether indoors or outdoors. Events are meant to include gatherings listed in Section 13(1) letters [a to f] of the COVID-19 Regulations.
Exceptions to this
a) burials and funerals, limited to 50 participants
b) ceremonies, baptisms and similar religious or legal ceremonies, provided the ceremony is conducted without spectators present
c) matches, competitions, performances and similar events in which professional actors participate, provided there is no audience present
In such cases, the promoter shall ensure that everyone who is not in the same household shall be able to remain at least two meters away from each other. In addition, sections 13 [b] and 13 [d] of the COVID-19 Regulations shall apply to these activities if justifiable infection control measures are carried out and the requirements for maintaining an overview of participants are met.
It is not permitted to arrange or attend private gatherings after the events listed in letters [a] and [b], except for gatherings in accordance with Section 7.
Section 9 Closure of public premises and businesses where cultural, entertainment or leisure activities take place indoors
Public premises and businesses where cultural, entertainment or leisure activities that bring people together indoors will be temporarily closed.
This includes:
· training centers
· museums
· cinemas, theatres, concert halls and similar cultural and entertainment venues
· bingo halls, bowling alleys, arcades, children's play facilities etc.
· swimming pools, but school swimming classes can still be carried out
This does not apply to:
· libraries
· houses of worship
· galleries and other venues that sell art
· places where elite sports activities are conducted
Section 10 Organized physical training, cultural and leisure activities
It is not permitted to organize or participate in organized training, cultural or leisure activities, neither for children, adolescents nor for adults. Top sports, however, are exempt. The chief municipal executive may still consider opening such activities for children and young people as of 20.11.2020 if the health situation dictates.
Section 11 Quarantine
Residents and visitors to the Municipality of Lier shall comply with the current quarantine rules at all times.
Residents of the Municipality of Lier must quarantine in their own dwellings. Businesses that normally accommodate overnight guests must be organized to accommodate guests in quarantine.
Section 12 Liability
The Municipality of Lier does not assume financial responsibility for the imposed measures.
Section 13 Entry into force and duration
These Regulations come into force on 10.11.2020 and are applicable until 01.12.2020.