Norway scraps distancing for artists

The Norwegian government yesterday (15 June) quadrupled the number of people allowed to attend live shows in the country, giving the green light to events of up to 200 people.

Under the new phase of regulations, there will also be an exemption of the one-metre distancing rule for performers, dancers, musicians, singers and other “professional practitioners in culture”.

“This is very good news for cultural life,” comments Norway’s culture and equality minister Abid Q. Raja. “This means that many people who have had their lives and work on hold in recent months can take a step closer to a normal everyday life.

“An exception to the one-metre rule for performers will allow them to be creative again in more normal settings, and especially help with the production of art and culture.”

Event organisers must present a plan for infection control management, as well as conducting a risk assessment to decide how governmental requirements can be met and whether it is possible to run the event in accordance with regulations.

“This means that many people who have had their lives and work on hold in recent months can take a step closer to a normal everyday life”

Live music was permitted to make a comeback in Norway earlier than in many other European countries, with events of up to 50 people allowed since early May, although promoters IQ spoke to at the time stressed the financial inviability of operating under such restrictions.

Elsewhere in the Nordics, capacity limits have been eased much more swiftly, with concerts of up to 500 people already taking place in Denmark and Finland.

If infection rates are kept under control, the capacity limit in Norway could potentially rise to 500 by September at the earliest.

“We must do everything we can to prevent the spread of infection throughout the summer,” comments Norwegian prime minister Erna Solberg.

“We are giving greater freedom, but this is freedom under responsibility. It is as important as before to follow the infection control rules. Otherwise, the efforts in recent months will have been in vain.”

Photo: Sveinung Bråthen/Flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0) (cropped)

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