Norway: From strict measures to pragmatic flexibility

The Norwegian approach to COVID-19 can more than anything else be seen as pragmatic and flexible, adjusting to the constantly shifting situation in the aftermath of the virus. At the time of writing (September 2020), Norway has 264 confirmed COVID-19 deaths, and approximately 10,000 infected cases. March and April were the time with the highest number of infections, while the curve flattened between May and August. The major restrictions, more or less a lockdown of the country, were implemented on March 12. These measures were described by the Prime Minister Erna Solberg as ‘the strongest and most invasive measures in Norway in peacetime.' New measures have been introduced and eased, according to the current situation and the latest knowledge and experiences with the disease. We call it a pragmatic approach as it is openly experimental and relies on learning by doing and adaptation by measures both to local and specific circumstances.