Handling of coronavirus in Ny-Ålesund

Kings Bay AS follows the situation closely and adheres to the guidelines of the Norwegian Institute of Public Health: Newly-arisen respiratory tract symptoms, COVID-19 testing and positive test results 

The need for new measures is assessed on an ongoing basis.

Important for travellers to Ny-Ålesund

We have COVID tests in Ny-Ålesund and test upon symptoms.

In case of a positive test, you will be isolated for 4 days (counting from when the symptoms started, not from the time of a positive test). Food will be brought to you and the Kings Bay nurse will keep in contact. After 4 days, if you have been fever-free for 24 hours and feel healthy, you may continue with all your normal activities (including travelling to Longyearbyen and mainland Norway).

Being outdoors is not limited, even before the 4 days are over. You may also conduct outdoor fieldwork if necessary and if you feel healthy enough to do so. The same applies for lab work etc. where you are able to work alone.

The Kings Bay nurse will observe and follow up the person(s) in isolation, and in cooperation and dialogue with medical personnel in Longyearbyen continuously assess the person(s) medical condition.

A possible evacuation to the mainland will not be carried out until you become seriously ill.

The Ny-Ålesund rules are stricter than the rules now effective in mainland Norway. This is the policy from the Norwegian government:
Stay home for new-onset respiratory symptoms if you feel sick. You should stay home until you are in good shape and you have been fever-free for 24 hours. Mild residual symptoms such as runny nose, snoring, hoarseness and some cough are fine. (https://www.fhi.no/en/op/novel-coronavirus-facts-advice/facts-and-general-advice/advice-when-you-or-your-household-members-have-respiratory-infections-but-a/)

Close contacts

There are no rules applying especially to close contacts to persons with a positive test. As everyone, close contacts should be aware of symptoms and have a low threshold to ask the nurse for a test if symptoms arise. You should also be careful with hand hygiene and keeping a distance to others.

General info and measures

Please continue the good habits and routines that have been incorporated to protect us from infection. Good hand hygiene is important. Stay at home if you feel sick or have symptoms, and call the nurse (7274) at daytime or the watchman (call 9) outside normal working hours.

We live quite isolated in Ny-Ålesund and the risk of infection occurs when new people arrive in town. It is important that everyone who is travelling to Ny-Ålesund makes an assessment of their own health situation and thinks about the possible consequences of becoming ill and in isolation. Those over the age of 65 and those with additional disease will have a greater risk of a serious course of the disease. If a person is vaccinated, the risk of a serious course of the disease can be significantly reduced.

Remember to keep your distance – wash your hands – stay at home when you are sick, and call the watchman (9).