Oslo to close city centre on 9 September. How to get to work on the day of the king’s funeral

The state funeral of Harald V will begin at 1 p.m. at Oslo Cathedral. Before the ceremony, a procession will take place from the Royal Palace to Oslo Cathedral, after which the coffin will be transported towards Akershus Fortress.

The city is preparing for a large number of people who will want to watch the ceremonies. For those who normally work, make deliveries or run errands in the city centre on 9 September, traffic restrictions will be the most important issue.

On Wednesday, <strong>9 September, from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.<\/strong>, a designated part of the city centre will be closed to car traffic. It will be possible to enter the zone on foot through police-operated checkpoints.

The rules may be changed at short notice. People working in the city centre should therefore check the situation again in the morning before leaving.

The biggest restrictions are expected in the areas around the Royal Palace, Karl Johans gate, Oslo Cathedral, City Hall and Akershus Fortress.

Ruter recommends using the T-bane on the day of the funeral. The metro is expected to run through the city centre, but not all stations will operate normally.

<strong>Stortinget will be completely closed.<\/strong>

At <strong>Nationaltheatret<\/strong>, only eastbound trains will be served. The entrance from Johanne Dybwads plass will be closed, and passengers should use the entrance from Ruseløkkveien.

You should also remember the works at <strong>Majorstuen<\/strong>, which are unrelated to the funeral. Until 19 September, trains will pass through this station, but passengers cannot board or alight there.

If you are travelling to the very centre, Jernbanetorget remains one of the easiest alternatives.

Trams will not serve the city centre. The announced changes include: <ul> <li>no lines 12 and 15 between Solli and Jernbanetorget,<\/li> <li>no line 13 between Solli and Ljabru,<\/li> <li>line 19 as a replacement service between Jernbanetorget and Ljabru,<\/li> <li>no lines 17, 18 and 19 between Holbergs plass and Jernbanetorget.<\/li> <\/ul>

Buses will be diverted around the closed zone. The detailed route layout may still change, so on the day of the funeral it is best to use up-to-date information in the Ruter app.

Restrictions for businesses will begin earlier than the main street closures.

From <strong>Tuesday, 8 September at 6 p.m. until Wednesday, 9 September at 9 p.m.<\/strong>, it will not be possible to enter the designated zone to make deliveries. Businesses should reschedule deliveries for an earlier or later time.

This is particularly important for drivers, couriers, technical crews and companies serving shops and restaurants in the city centre. Do not assume that a company vehicle will be allowed in simply because it is making a delivery.

The day of the funeral <strong>is not an official public holiday<\/strong>. Employees therefore do not automatically get time off because of the ceremony.

Some companies may organise a broadcast or allow employees to watch the ceremony. A minute of silence is planned across the country from <strong>1:00 p.m. to 1:01 p.m.<\/strong>.

If you work in central Oslo, it is a good idea to arrange with your employer in advance whether you can work remotely that day or start work at a different time. The commute itself may take considerably longer than usual.

Schools in Oslo are expected to operate normally on 9 September. Pupils will take part in the minute of silence, and individual schools may also allow the broadcast to be watched.

Schools may grant permission for absence to pupils whose parents want to take them to the city centre to watch the funeral and procession.

For upper secondary school students and adult education participants, such an absence is to be treated as a reason related to an important personal situation and will not count towards the absence limit.

The Palace Chapel will be open to people wishing to say goodbye to Harald V until <strong>Tuesday, 8 September<\/strong>. On that day, entry will be possible from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

There will be a security check before entry. Queues should also be expected.

On Wednesday itself, it is worth arriving in the city centre much earlier than usual. The city will set up large screens along the procession route, but the exact locations are to be announced separately.