PM: far too much complacency ahead of reopening

Too many people and too many businesses are starting to ignore the protection guidelines in anticipation of Monday’s official gradual reopening of society.

This was the key message at yesterday’s press conference on the upcoming partial lifting of the corona restriction, featuring Prime Minister Bárður á Steig Nielsen, chief of police and head of the epidemic commission Michael Boolsen, and Bjarni á Steig, consultant doctor.

Here are the highlights of the press conference.

• Despite ten days with no new positive tests, COVID-19 remains a very real threat in our society, said the Prime Minister. The greatest concern for the authorities is a new wave of infection, which could be devastating.
• People need clearer regulations and procedures, which is understandable, said the Prime Minister. “Perhaps we haven’t been sufficiently clear in our recommendations leading up to this new situation. I hope we can clarify some issues here.”
• The gradual reopening of society is going much faster than planned. Everyone should still respect the guidelines regarding social distancing and responsible behaviour, said the Prime Minister.
• The next two weeks, from 20 April when schools and daycare centres will be partially reopened, will be a crucial indicator of how we will proceed further, says the Prime Minister. “If we all stick to the guidelines from the health authorities from now until 4 May, we should be able to further lift the restrictions.”
• Many people have asked for clear rules about whether or not they can reopen their businesses, but the Prime Minister pointed out that in the absence of legal authority to impose bans, the police cannot enforce compliance with any rules; they can only issue recommendations.
• How come a pedagogue can comfort a child but hairdressers are advised to suspend all their activities? This is one example of the many inconsistencies in this odd situation, said the PM, advising people to exercise common sense as best they can and stick to the guidelines set out by the health authorities.
• Consultant doctor Bjarni á Steig explained that the dark figures, the number of undetected corona cases, are most likely low, considering that the infection curve has flattened out. A new study has been launched to look into these dark figures, but it is too early to draw any conclusions.
• The doctor explained that COVID-19 is fundamentally different to other diseases, especially the symptoms. In addition to the common symptoms such as high fever, coughing and breathing difficulties, some have lost their sense of smell and taste. There are indications that those who display these sensory symptoms may be particularly infectious.
• “We will ramp up our testing efforts in the coming weeks, and we aim to provide more accurate and more frequent information briefings,” said Steig. The doctor concluded by saying he has been left bewildered in the past few days as he has witnessed scenes that made him feel uncomfortable: “It has not been nice to see all the cars out and about, people rushing to the shops and gathering in big crowds.”
• Police chief Michael Boolsen opened with a warning of the danger of complacency: “I think that the social contract between us, the authorities, and you, the general public, is in dire need of an upgrade. It seems that in the past few days everyone has been thinking it’s safe to resume normal life just because we only have 15 active corona cases left. This is a big mistake. The enemy is microscopical, but it’s deadly.”
• He praised the general public for showing responsible behaviour over Easter. But, he noted, many young people have been partying over the holidays. He urged parents to talk to their teenage children to help them understand the gravity of the situation.
• Asked about efforts to prevent a new wave of infection coming from abroad, Bjarni á Steig said there are plans to upgrade and tighten up the procedures regarding how incoming travellers are informed about quarantine requirements.
• The police chief added that although the epidemic commission is not legally authorised to force people into quarantine, there are loopholes in the law that may allow this in individual cases, but this cannot be done for groups.
• Question from the floor: can footballers resume their normal training? The Prime Minister replied that this would be possible under controlled conditions, but he stressed that this is done at each player’s own risk. The Football Association will issue its tournament schedules today [Friday] – see fsf.fo.
• Question from the floor: should parents refrain from sending their children to daycare on Monday? Bjarni á Steig replied with a clarification on a previous statement: when he previously said he hoped that not too many parents sent their children to daycare centres, his intention was to limit the number of children in the same room at the institutions. He said that although the centres will open on Monday, parents who are able to keep their children at home should do so. “My direct recommendation is to keep a safe distance at all times and always keep your children at home if they show any signs of illness.”
• Question from the floor: are you disregarding the cautionary advice of the country’s leading infectious disease specialist, who says it’s too early to start lifting the corona restrictions? The Prime Minister said that this advice has certainly been taken into consideration; however, there are other considerations than the strictly health-related ones. “We have carefully considered the big picture and the possible long-term effects of waiting too long to reopen society.”
• Question from the floor: this social contract between the authorities and the general public was initiated and drafted by you, the authorities. So isn’t it fair to say that the authorities are responsible for what’s happening now? The Prime Minister replied: “What we’re seeing now is to some degree understandable. People are keen to get on with their lives and feel justified in doing so because the infection numbers are low, and everything is looking encouraging. But it is crucial that we don’t lose sight of the fact that we’re treading on unknown territory with a brand new and unknown virus. I just hope that we can all gather a little bit more patience and wait until 4 May, and if the infection numbers remain low then, we should be able to further lift some of our restrictions. As Prime Minister I am responsible for how this situation is evolving, and it saddens me on a personal level to see that our social contract is not being respected by everyone. This is why we’re holding this press conference today in the hope that we can spread the message that complacency is a very, very dangerous thing in the current situation.”
• The Prime Minister concluded the press conference with a reminder to everyone to continue to respect the guidelines regarding social distancing, hygiene and responsible behaviour. “The more caution and responsibility we display over the next two weeks, the more we will benefit in the subsequent weeks.”

For more on the corona situation in the Faroe Islands, visit corona.fo.

Translated by prosa.fo