Pandemic Centre Coordinates UiB’s Interdisciplinary Response to New Infection Control Act
The Pandemic Centre at the University of Bergen (UiB) is proud to have played a central role in coordinating UiB’s consultation response to Norway’s proposed new Infection Control Act (Smittevernloven). The submission reflects broad interdisciplinary collaboration and draws directly on lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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The consultation process was led by the Pandemic Centre, with key contributions from researchers at the Faculty of Medicine and the Faculty of Law. Together, experts in medicine, public health, law, and governance worked closely to ensure that UiB’s response was both scientifically robust and legally sound.
The proposed legislation represents a significant and necessary update to the current Infection Control Act. It introduces clearer lines of responsibility between national and local authorities, strengthens democratic accountability for far-reaching public health measures, and better reflects constitutional principles. UiB’s response highlights that these improvements are firmly grounded in the experiences and evaluations of Norway’s pandemic response.
Professor Eirik Holmøyvik from the Faculty of Law emphasizes the importance of this work:
“The proposal for a new Infection Control Act is a clear improvement on the current legislation. The Ministry of Health and Care Services has done commendable work in transforming pandemic experiences into practical legal rules. UiB’s consultation response demonstrates how interdisciplinary collaboration between medicine and legal scholarship can strengthen national preparedness.”
A core message in UiB’s submission is that infection control legislation must be clear, practicable, and accessible. The law is not only applied by legal experts, but also by local elected officials and health professionals who may operate under severe time pressure and with limited access to legal support. UiB therefore stresses the importance of precise legal thresholds, clearly defined roles, and explanatory legislative notes that support real-world decision-making.
The response also supports the Ministry’s conclusion that Norway should retain a revised general Infection Control Act rather than introducing a separate pandemic law. According to UiB, a unified legal framework provides greater coherence and flexibility across different public health scenarios.
The Pandemic Centre is particularly proud of how this process exemplifies the Centre’s mission: to facilitate knowledge integration across disciplines and translate research-based insight into policy-relevant action. Coordinating this complex and wide-ranging effort would not have been possible without the strong engagement of dedicated contributors across UiB, including Eirik Holmøyvik, Kristin G. I. Mohn, Marit Voltersvik, Esperanza Díaz, Gøril Vikøren Nøkleby, Preben Aavitsland, and Kurt Hanevik.
This consultation response stands as a strong example of how interdisciplinary academic collaboration can contribute meaningfully to national policy development—and to more resilient preparedness for future health crises.