Covid expert: stay alert and focus on the borders

Although the domestic Covid-19 situation now appears to be under control, it is crucial that we all continue to respect the distancing and hygiene guidelines.

So says public health professor Pál Weihe.

“We have all done remarkably well to fend off this second wave of infection, and it now appears that the domestic infection risk appears to be minimal,” he says.

As long as we all remember to stay alert and continue follow the health guidelines, he adds, we now have a relatively clear-cut way of keeping Covid-19 out of our society.

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“We need to zoom in on stopping the virus at our borders. Testing inbound travellers on arrival is good. But it is not enough, as up to one in five tests can turn out to be false negatives due to the incubation period of this virus.

“If everyone travelling to our country – locals and foreigners alike – undergoes follow-up tests six days after arrival, then we can be fairly certain that the Covid-19 situation will remain under control.”

Further individual Covid cases will almost inevitably arise; however, if everyone acts responsibly, and if travellers act with the utmost care between the two tests, it should be possible to prevent a new wave of infection, says the professor, adding one further piece of advice:

“I sincerely hope we will remember the lessons we all learned from the Ólavsøka celebrations ahead of the Christmas party season and think twice before we organise big parties.”

For further information about Covid-19 in the Faroes, visit corona.fo.

Translated by prosa.fo