G-33/2020 – Revised circular regarding quarantine hotels

1. Introduction

The Ministry of Justice and Public Security refers to the Regulations of 27 March 2020 no. 470 on infection control measures etc. in connection with the coronavirus outbreak (Covid-19 Regulations), which include regulations regarding mandatory entry quarantine and requirements for accommodation during the quarantine period. Reference is also made to the Regulations on amendments to the Covid-19 Regulations, issued on 13 December 2020 pursuant to Section 7-12 of the Act relating to control of communicable diseases.

Due to a marked increase in COVID-19 infections in Norway and outside of Norway, the Norwegian Government imposed new measures on 6 November 2020 to reduce import infection. The situation in Europe remains extremely challenging and the pressure of infection is now high in most countries. Because COVID-19 can unknowingly be spread by infected individuals, there is a risk of spread of infection from travellers who have been infected abroad. This applies even if they have tested negative prior to arrival, since the incubation period entails that the disease may also develop after this time. Other people’s homes do not appear to be a suitable quarantine location for travellers from countries with high rates of infection, and experiences from the municipalities indicate that outbreaks of infection occur where quarantined individuals infect those with whom they are staying. Therefore, on 6 November, requirements were established regarding mandatory stays at quarantine hotels during entry quarantine, with exemptions for certain groups. The quarantine hotel scheme took effect on Monday, 9 November 2020.

In light of updated expert infection control assessments from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (FHI) and the experiences with the scheme to date, amendments have been made to the quarantine hotel scheme in Section 5 of the COVID-19 Regulations, which take effect on 13 December 2020. Following these amendments, the main rule will continue to be that all persons travelling to Norway have a duty to undergo a quarantine period at a quarantine hotel, though adjustments have been made regarding what groups are exempt from this duty.

It is the police, in its border control capacity, that assesses the conditions for entry to Norway and informs of the duty to stay at a quarantine hotel.

This circular describes the implementation of stays at quarantine hotels. This applies to the period from the person travels from their place of arrival to the hotel and until the quarantine period has ended.

To achieve the desired infection control effect of the measure and to succeed in the establishment and operation of quarantine hotels, cooperation between various public and private actors is essential. As there are very many border crossing points in Norway over a large geographical area, the municipalities are best suited to assume the main responsibility for management. Therefore, most tasks associated with the quarantine hotel scheme are delegated to the municipalities. This applies to establishment, operation, cooperation between various actors and communication with the population. By virtue of their general coordinating role and via the chief county medical officer, county governors are responsible for following up municipalities with quarantine hotels regarding these efforts.

The duty to stay at a quarantine hotel is stipulated in Section 5 of the COVID-19 Regulations. In principle, individual travellers must personally assess whether or not they are covered by any of the exemptions from the duty to quarantine at a quarantine hotel.

The task of the police at the border is to inform of the regulatory framework and to guide travellers. If a traveller presents documentation showing that the person in question is exempt from the duty to stay at a quarantine hotel, the police shall inspect such documentation.

 

2. Duty to stay at a quarantine hotel

The introduction of a duty to stay at a quarantine hotel does not entail any changes regarding who is subject to entry quarantine. This is regulated by other provisions in the Covid-19 Regulations, chapters 2 and 3. The quarantine period continues to be ten days upon arrival. However, the rules regarding where to stay during the quarantine period have been tightened. The main rule is that all persons subject to entry quarantine shall undergo quarantine at a quarantine hotel. This main rule also applies to Norwegian citizens.

Certain groups of individuals are exempt from the duty to undergo quarantine at a quarantine hotel. This duty does not apply to the following six groups, which will be described in more detail below:

a. Persons who, upon arrival, are able to document that they reside or have a fixed residential address in Norway, and who will be staying at the dwelling or at another suitable accommodation

b. Persons who, upon arrival, are able to document that they are married or have children of the relationship with a person who has a fixed residential address in Norway, and who will be undergoing their entry quarantine in the dwelling of their spouse or the other parent. This exemption also applies to minor children of persons mentioned in the first sentence

c. Persons who arrive in Norway to perform work or assignments and who, upon arrival, are able to present documentation showing that their employer or contracting authority is providing a suitable accommodation where it is possible to avoid close contact with others, with a private bedroom including TV and internet access, separate bathroom and a separate kitchen or food service

d. Persons whose stay is for purposes other than work or assignments, and who have suitable accommodation where it is possible to avoid close contact with others, with a private bedroom including TV and internet access, separate bathroom and a separate kitchen or food service, and who, upon arrival, can present a confirmation from the person providing the accommodation that the accommodation meets these conditions

e. Persons who are applying for asylum or who are resettlement refugees

f. Persons who are able to document that they are exempt pursuant to sections 6b, sixth paragraph or 6i.

It is stressed that exemptions from the duty to quarantine at a quarantine hotel do not entail exemptions from entry quarantine. Persons in entry quarantine may only go outside of the quarantine location if they are able to avoid close contact with persons other than those with whom they are staying. Persons in quarantine are not permitted to be at a workplace where others are staying, at a school, or a day-care facility, see Section 5, fourth paragraph of the Covid-19 Regulations. Use of public transport is prohibited, other than transport from the place of arrival to the quarantine location.

Pursuant to the Covid-19 Regulations, the following groups are fully exempt from entry quarantine, i.e., both during working hours and in leisure time:

• Person who are able to document that they have had Covid-19 in the last six months, cf. Section 4, first paragraph.
• Persons who arrive in Norway to implement agreed or determined visitation between a parent and child. The same applies to persons who are returning to Norway after having completed visitation abroad, cf. Section 6d (a). This exemption is intended to safeguard children’s right to access with both parents.
• Persons invited by the Norwegian Government for important foreign policy reasons, cf. Section 6d (b). This exemption is very restrictive and requires that the person in question is able to present sufficient documentation.

A few additional groups are regulated in Section 6a of the Covid-19 Regulations.

a. Exemption from the duty to quarantine at a quarantine hotel for persons residing in or who have a fixed residential address in Norway

Persons who are able to document that they reside or have a fixed residential address in Norway, and who will be staying at the dwelling in question or another suitable accommodation during the quarantine period, are exempt from the duty to stay at a quarantine hotel.

Residing in Norway means persons registered in the National Population Register as residing in Norway. This can be documented e.g., by referring to information regarding registered place of residence with the Norwegian Tax Administration.

Persons in the foreign service and the members of their household are considered to be residing in Norway, irrespective of their stay abroad. The same applies to military personnel who are ordered to serve abroad.

Foreign diplomats etc. and their spouses or cohabitants and dependent children who have legal residence pursuant to sections 1-4 and 1-5 of the Immigration Regulations, cf. Section 5, third paragraph of the Immigration Act, are considered to be residing in Norway.

Persons studying abroad who were residing in Norway prior to their studies will often continue to be registered in the National Population Register during their studies. If so, they are also considered to be residing in Norway under the Covid-19 Regulations. Students in other Nordic countries shall also be considered to be residing in Norway under the quarantine rules, even though they are registered with an address in the country of studies, because of special Nordic rules regarding registration in population registers. Therefore, they are not required to stay at a quarantine hotel and may complete their quarantine at another suitable accommodation. They must comply with the quarantine rules during the first ten days upon arriving in Norway. During the quarantine period, they should therefore avoid close contact with other individuals with whom they share a dwelling, with whom they were not residing prior to the quarantine period.

Fixed residential address means persons whose home is in Norway, including persons who own or rent a fixed residential property in Norway, on their own or jointly with other individuals. Provided they own or are renting a fixed residential property in Norway, this will also include persons who move abroad, but have not yet reported the move to the National Population Register.

Holiday homes are not considered a fixed residential address, since such homes are generally not a person’s fixed home. Student accommodation provided by student welfare organisations are also not considered as a fixed residential address in this context. Accommodation provided by student welfare organisations shall be assessed pursuant to the exemption in (d), which includes a requirement of separate a bathroom and kitchen in order for the student to be able to quarantine in the dwelling. See more detailed description in point d, below.

Ownership or tenancy must be documented upon arrival. This can be documented e.g., by tax information, information regarding payment of fees etc. or information from the Land Register, showing that the person has ownership of the dwelling. The latter option can e.g., be downloaded from the Norwegian Mapping Authority’s website by logging into Altinn. See more detailed information https://seeiendom.kartverket.no/. In order to document a tenancy, reference can be made to a tenancy agreement.  Only the rental of a fixed residential property is covered by (a). This also entails a requirement that the tenancy must be of a certain duration.

The person must stay in the dwelling or at another suitable accommodation during the quarantine period. As opposed to the exemption in Section 5 (d), there is no requirement that the accommodation has a private room, access to a separate bathroom or a separate kitchen. Upon arrival, the person will therefore not be required to present a confirmation form for a suitable accommodation under (d), but the person must document ownership or tenancy or that he or she is registered in the Norwegian National Population Register.

b. Exemption from the duty to quarantine at a quarantine hotel for spouses and children of persons with a fixed residential address in Norway

Persons who, upon arrival, are able to document that they are married to or have children of the relationship with someone who has a fixed residential address in Norway, may undergo entry quarantine in the dwelling of their spouse or the other parent, even if they are not travelling together to Norway. The same applies to minor children. Both children of the relationship and children of previous relationships are covered by this exemption.

In this context, fixed residential address means persons who own or rent a dwelling in Norway.

This exemption will typically cover families who reside in multiple countries because of work, studies, health problems or similar, but who commute between their places of residence.

In order to document that the person is covered by the exemption, reference can be made to a wedding certificate or birth certificate, as well as tenancy agreement or tax information, information regarding payment of fees etc. or information from the Land Register showing that the spouse or other parent owns a dwelling in Norway.

c. Exemption from the duty to stay at a quarantine hotel for employees and contractors

Persons who arrive in Norway to perform work or assignments and who, upon arrival, are able to present a confirmation that their employer or contracting authority is providing a suitable accommodation are exempt from the duty to stay at a quarantine hotel. Such accommodation is typically a dwelling that the employer has rented to the employee, a hotel room or another suitable location that meets the requirements in the provision.

This entails that all persons travelling to Norway for the purpose of performing work or assignments, must be able to present a confirmation that their employer or contracting authority has provided a suitable accommodation upon arrival. Such a confirmation may be provided in the form of a completed confirmation form, or similar written confirmation from the employer or contracting authority that confirms that the accommodation meets the requirements.

It is a requirement that the accommodation must have a private room with TV and internet access, a separate bathroom and a separate kitchen or food service. This entails that the employee or contractor shall have a private room in which to sleep, a separate bathroom and a separate kitchen in which to prepare food. If the person can be served food at the accommodation, the requirement of a separate kitchen does not apply. This will typically be the case if the person is staying at a hotel where food can be delivered to the room. In addition, the person shall have access to both TV and internet in the room.

d. Exemption from the duty to stay at a quarantine hotel for others who have another suitable accommodation

Persons whose stay is for purposes other than work or assignments and who have another suitable accommodation are exempt from the duty to stay at a quarantine hotel. This may include e.g., holiday homes, hotels and other accommodations that have been provided for the person travelling. The accommodation must have a private room, a separate bathroom and a separate kitchen or food service. It must also be possible to avoid close contact with other people.

This entails that the person shall have a private room in which to sleep, a separate bathroom and a separate kitchen in which to prepare food. If the person can be served food at the accommodation, the requirement of a separate kitchen does not apply. This will typically be the case if the person is staying at a hotel that has food service or if the person will be receiving food from friends or family.

Upon arrival, the person travelling must be able to present a confirmation from the person providing the accommodation, confirming that the location meets the established requirements. This confirmation may be provided in the form of a completed confirmation form or similar written confirmation from the person providing the accommodation, which confirms that the accommodation has a private room, access to a separate bathroom and a separate kitchen or food service, as well as the possibility of maintaining physical distance to other people. For travellers who will be staying at an ordinary hotel (not a quarantine hotel) during their quarantine period, the hotel must provide such a confirmation.  This confirmation is as considered sufficient documentation that the person has another suitable accommodation.

Persons in the same household arriving together in Norway may, under to this exemption, undergo entry quarantine at the same location without the requirement of a private room. They will also be able to use the same bathroom and kitchen. In this context, persons who generally live together are considered to be members of the same household. Persons who are only temporarily staying in the same dwelling are not considered members of the same household. This applies e.g., to children who have moved away from home, who no longer generally reside with their parents. In order to document that the individuals are members of the same household, reference can be made to a shared registered address, joint tenancy agreement, marriage certificate, cohabitation agreement, birth certificate or similar.

e. Exemption from the duty to stay at a quarantine hotel for asylum seekers and resettlement refugees

Asylum seekers and resettlement refugees are exempt from the duty to stay at a quarantine hotel. These groups shall undergo their quarantine period at another suitable location arranged by the authorities.

f. Exemption from the duty to stay at a quarantine hotel for professional drivers and military personnel

Professional drivers involved in long-haul transport and train personnel who do not work on freight trains and who arrive in Norway from areas subject to mandatory quarantine, are exempt from the duty to quarantine during working hours but must observe entry quarantine during leisure time. This group is exempt from the duty to stay at a quarantine hotel during leisure time if they are able to undergo quarantine in a private room in the vehicle or train, and this is suitable for overnight accommodation.

Foreign military branches arriving in Norway for training, exercises or operations approved by the Ministry of Defence may undergo quarantine in a garrison, military camp, tent camp, in the field or similar. The quarantine scheme shall be approved by the Norwegian Armed Forces Joint Medical Services. Such persons will then be exempt from the duty to stay at a quarantine hotel during the quarantine period.

g. Special rules regarding Svalbard and Jan Mayen

The rules regarding quarantine hotels also apply to persons travelling to Svalbard and Jan Mayen. Pursuant to Section 9, first paragraph of the Covid-19 Regulations, persons in entry quarantine are not permitted to travel onward to Svalbard or Jan Mayen before the end of their quarantine period. Persons who reside in Svalbard and who are unable to document a suitable accommodation in mainland Norway, are required to stay at a quarantine hotel. Persons who are travelling to Svalbard to perform work or assignments will be able to undergo their quarantine at another suitable accommodation pursuant to (d).

h. Special rules regarding minor children

Minor children travelling alone, and who are not covered by the exemptions in Section 5, second paragraph or Section 6d (a), shall have the option of having caregivers present at the quarantine hotel. This will likely only be relevant in exceptional cases. Most situations where children are travelling alone to Norway will be covered by one of the exemptions.

i. Special rules regarding transitional rules following amendments to the Regulations of 13 December 2020

Persons staying at a quarantine hotel at the time the regulatory amendments enter into force, and who, pursuant to the amendments are covered by an exemption in Section 5, second paragraph, shall be given the option of moving to the other quarantine location, if so desired. In such circumstances, an exemption is made from the prohibition against using public transport.

Employees who have commenced quarantine at an accommodation that was considered suitable according to the previous rules, e.g., at an accommodation without a separate kitchen, may remain there for the duration of their quarantine period.

 

3. General information regarding roles and responsibilities

What municipalities are to offer quarantine hotels has been clarified in agreements with the relevant municipalities and county governors. The county governors are responsible for entering into agreements with a sufficient number of municipalities. The municipalities that have quarantine hotels should be selected based on the size and robustness of the municipalities, that they have suitable hotels, their geographical location and the municipality’s access to health and care services.

The municipality’s responsibility for persons who will be staying at quarantine hotels takes effect once the person who will be staying at a quarantine hotel has cleared border control.

The municipality shall establish a separate contact point for the hotel quarantine scheme. The municipality shall ensure that persons staying in the municipality are offered necessary heath and care services, cf. the Health Care Act and the Health Preparedness Act. In accordance with the Regulations on municipal preparedness duty, the municipality has a basic responsibility to ensure the safety and security of the population. Population means all persons staying in the municipality at any given time.

4. Details regarding the undergoing of quarantine at a quarantine hotel

a. Choice of quarantine hotel

Travellers may choose to undergo their quarantine in a municipality other than the municipality in which they arrived, provided there is an established quarantine hotel in the municipality, and there is capacity at the quarantine hotel in question. It is stressed that the requirements for persons in entry quarantine continue to apply, including during the journey to the quarantine hotel. This means, among other things, that travel by public transport is not permitted outside of the journey from the place of arrival to the quarantine hotel, and that all persons over 12 years of age must wear a face mask during this journey. Persons travelling to a quarantine hotel shall avoid close contact with persons other than those with whom they are quarantining.

b. The role of police at border control

For travellers arriving by land and sea, the police is responsible for assisting the traveller in their choice of quarantine hotel. The police shall notify the municipality’s contact point regarding new travellers who will be staying at a quarantine hotel.

For travellers who arrive by air, the municipality is responsible for receiving travellers following border control and assisting the traveller in their choice of quarantine hotel. However, the police may, as a result of local conditions, in whole or in part assume this role, upon more detailed agreement between the municipality and the police. At the border control, the police shall convey to the traveller how they can establish contact with the municipality’s representative.

c. After individuals have cleared border control

The municipality that has quarantine hotels should enter into a cooperation with the relevant police district to contribute to keeping the municipality up to date regarding arrivals from abroad where quarantine hotel may be relevant. This will ensure good exchange of information and coordination. The municipality will also ensure that the police has information available regarding the quarantine scheme, generally, and regarding the relevant municipality’s services, specifically. This also applies to the transport arrangement to the quarantine hotel.

In circumstances where it is assessed that the traveller is required to stay at a quarantine hotel, information shall be provided. Suitable information materials shall be prepared for this purpose and distributed to the traveller. The information shall clarify the traveller’s rights and duties. This information should be available on the municipality’s website and shall be translated into relevant languages.

d. Transport

The municipality responsible for the quarantine hotel is responsible for facilitating transport from the place of arrival to the quarantine hotel. The general rules for quarantine in the Covid-19 Regulations apply. This entails that persons arriving by own vehicle may drive themselves to the quarantine hotel. It may also be relevant to use taxicab, public transport and special arrangements organised by the municipality, e.g., busses. Travel by public transport is not permitted outside of the journey from the place of arrival and to the quarantine hotel, cf. Section 5, fifth paragraph, last sentence of the Covid-19 Regulations, cf. Section 5, sixth paragraph.

In case of larger groups and where it is practically feasible, the municipality should organise separate transport to the quarantine hotel in order to safeguard infection control considerations and minimise the risk for other passengers in normal public transport.

Persons over 12 years of age shall use a face mask in connection with the transport, cf. Section 5, sixth paragraph, last sentence of the Covid-19 Regulations. Reference is made to the infection control guidelines for public transport and recommendations for transport of passengers with a suspected or confirmed case of Covid-19.

It should be considered whether there is a need to offer suitable waiting areas for persons arriving, who need to wait a long time for transport to a quarantine hotel. A face mask should be worn. The municipality facilitates for the availability of face masks for distribution upon border crossing.

In case of transport with own vehicle, the municipality should ensure that all persons who will be staying at the quarantine hotel arrive at the hotel. To ensure this, good information exchange should be established between the police and the municipality’s contact point for the quarantine scheme. The quarantine provisions apply during such journeys.

e. Reception at quarantine hotel

The municipality with quarantine hotels should provide personnel who ensure reception and communication of information regarding rights and duties to the traveller upon arrival at the quarantine hotel. The information provided should ensures that the rules for the quarantine, testing scheme, access to interpreter services, government information and the hotel’s arrangements are included. Information regarding routines in case of a need for healthcare should also be included in this information. Persons in entry quarantine shall avoid close contact with persons other than those with whom they are staying during the quarantine. It is stressed that close contact with other persons undergoing entry quarantine at the same hotel must be avoided.

The municipality should in cooperation with the quarantine hotel prepare arrangements for the hotel quarantine. The municipality should also ensure that a contact person is available at all times for those staying at the quarantine hotel.

Specific information regarding the hotel: The health authorities establish requirements for hygiene and infection control measures at the hotels. Each municipality with quarantine hotels should enter into agreements with the quarantine hotels which stipulate the general infection control requirements and regulate the practical implementation thereof. At the same time, it must be assessed whether local conditions indicate a need for additional infection control requirements in the agreement. It is important to prevent residents and employees at the quarantine hotel from being exposed to an increased risk of infection during the stay. Possible supplementary, local infection control measures must be reflected in the information provided to the person who will be quarantining.

Enterprises that have employees staying at the quarantine hotel are encouraged to establish contact with the quarantine hotel.

f. Provisions at quarantine hotels

Some of the measures that may affect the stay are restrictions regarding socialising and food service. The hotel’s routines must, among other things, safeguard infection control rules for persons quarantining and the health authorities’ standards for food service and cleaning.

g. Testing

The municipality shall offer persons staying at the quarantine hotel the option of being tested for SARS-CoV-2, cf. Section 5, sixth paragraph of the Covid-19 Regulations. Even if a person tests negative during the quarantine period, the quarantine period will not be reduced.
Persons who develop acute respiratory infection with fever, cough or shortness of breath during the quarantine period shall contact the health and care services to be tested and to receive healthcare. Information regarding testing shall be provided to persons who will be quarantining upon arrival at the quarantine hotel.

Regular testing during the quarantine period will contribute to the detection of infection, so that infected persons can be isolated. The district medical officer is responsible for establishing systems for testing and defining suitable facilities. Healthcare personnel are responsible for performing testing. In all handling of persons with a confirmed case of Covid-19, personnel shall use protective equipment in accordance with the Recommendation to the primary healthcare services;
https://www.fhi.no/nettpub/coronavirus/helsepersonell/tiltak-i-primarhelsetjenesten-ved-mistenkt-eller-bekreftet-smitte-med-nytt-/?term=&h=1.

h. Security

Where appropriate and in cooperation with the hotel, the municipalities should establish a security arrangement that monitors and ensures that persons in quarantine are complying with the guidelines issued. If breaches of the duty to quarantine are detected, the police shall be contacted, who will consider possible criminal prosecution.

The quarantine hotel must be staffed 24 hours a day and have the contact information of everyone staying there.

i. Stays

Going outside of the accommodation is permitted, as long as close contact with persons other than those with whom one is staying during the quarantine is avoided. During the quarantine period, the person quarantining is not permitted to be at a workplace where other people are staying, or at a school or day-care facility. Use of public transport is prohibited (Section 5 of the Covid-19 Regulations).

j. Breaches of the duty to quarantine

In case of observed breaches of the duty to quarantine, the police shall be contacted, who will consider possible criminal prosecution and/or expulsion of foreign nationals.

Use of force is not permitted in the implementation of this scheme. However, intentional or grossly negligent breaches of provisions in the Covid-19 Regulations are punishable by fines or imprisonment not exceeding 6 months, cf. Section 19 of the Regulations.

k. Relocation to another suitable accommodation

Persons staying at a quarantine hotel who wish to relocate to another quarantine hotel or to another suitable accommodation to undergo the remainder of their quarantine period have the option of doing so on certain conditions.

In connection with the entry into force of the new rules, persons who wish to relocate, must present documentation of a new, suitable accommodation in accordance with the requirements in Section 5, second paragraph to representatives from the municipalities who are present at the hotel.

Persons who will be travelling from the quarantine hotel to another suitable accommodation may, if absolutely necessary, use public transport, as long as applicable infection control rules are observed.

l. After the end of the quarantine period

Upon completion of quarantine, the traveller may leave the quarantine hotel. Upon leaving, the traveller should be given relevant information regarding infection control rules in Norway, generally, financial matters and the contact point for the municipality, in case symptoms of Covid-19 occur. If persons wish to return to their place of origin prior to the end of their quarantine period, they must notify the municipality and arrange the journey themselves. The municipality will arrange transport back to the airport/border crossing point.

5. Costs relating to the quarantine hotel scheme

The municipalities with quarantine hotels cover the costs of the quarantine hotel scheme. The municipalities’ expenses are covered by the state via a reimbursement scheme. The municipalities shall ensure that the use of resources relating to the scheme is as efficient as possible and in accordance with the purpose of the scheme. The municipalities’ entry into agreements with suppliers must be adjustable on short notice as a result of changes to the Government’s measures against Covid-19.

A user fee has been established for individuals who use the hotel. The user fee for employees or contracting authorities and private individuals over 18 years of age is NOK 500 per day. Children under 10 years of age are exempt from the user fee requirement when staying in the same room as their parents or guardians. Children aged 10 up to and including 18 years of age shall be charged half the user fee, i.e., NOK 250 per day.

The hotels send invoices to the municipalities for reimbursement of costs incurred. It is the hotels that are paid for the user fees from each individual person who is covered by the quarantine hotel scheme. The time of settlement of the user fee may vary between payment upon arrival, reservation of amount upon arrival or payment upon checkout.

6. Use of the Norwegian Civil Defence as an emergency resource

The Norwegian Civil Defence is the state’s emergency resource and shall provide support for public safety agencies in case of unwanted events. The use of conscripts is regulated in the Act relating to municipal emergency preparedness, civil protection measures and the civil defence. In order for the Norwegian Civil Defence to be used as an emergency resource, private/commercial resources must be exhausted and/or there must be an acute need for assistance.

The Norwegian Civil Defence has freedom of action in terms of its own Civil Defence employees and own materiel. The general principle for prioritisation of resources is that local and private/civilian resources should be used whenever possible, and the Norwegian Civil Defence’s resources are used when other relevant resources are not available, or during an acute phase. The start-up phase of operating the quarantine hotel scheme will fall under the definition of an acute phase, but the assessment thereof is made by the individual Civil Defence district in dialogue with the party requesting assistance and possibly the Norwegian Directorate for Civil Protection (DSB) represented by the Civil Defence staff.

In connection with the establishment and operation of the quarantine hotel scheme, the Norwegian Civil Defence may assist with the following tasks:

• Information and guidance
• Access and exit control
• Registration
• Material support (tents, heating etc.)
• Establishment of makeshift disinfection sites

In addition to possible direct assistance, the Norwegian Civil Defence, represented by the Civil Defence districts, will be able to assist the municipalities and other authorities if there is a need for advice regarding logistics planning, among other things.

Sincerely,

Hege Johansen

Acting Director General

                                                                                 Martin Kjellsen

                                                                                 Deputy Director General

Copy: The ministries

            Norwegian Directorate of Health

            Norwegian Institute of Public Health

            Norwegian Directorate of Immigration

Norwegian Directorate for Civil Protection

Governor of Svalbard