Research projects are impacted as international researchers are shut out during the pandemic. ‘Vital competence is kept out of Norway’, says Professor Cathrine Holst of the University of Oslo. ‘Our project suffers enormously under this, and much of what we should have done never materializes. … This is a forgotten group, which for our centre is absolutely crucial.’ Member of Parliament, Nina Sandberg (Labour), comments: ‘I hope the ministry rectifies this unintended, but very negative consequence as soon as possible.’
Update, 3 Dec. 2020: The autumn term went up in smoke for scientists who were denied an entry permit, but now the matter has been resolved. After much back and forth between the Centre for Advanced Study (CAS) and various government agencies, the Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research announced on 20 November that ‘foreign researchers from countries outside the EEA who come to Norway on their own funds are granted an exemption from the entry restrictions.’ ‘This is incredibly good news’, says CAS leader Camilla Serck-Hanssen upon learning of the decision. ‘It is absolutely decisive for our centre that this group of researchers can come to Norway.’
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