In the new infection control measures, which are in effect until the beginning of February, the government is increasing the maximum audience for events.
Outdoors, there can now be 200 places without fixed designated places. Inside, there can be 200 fixed designated places, provided that infection control is taken care of. Without fixed designated places inside, the maximum is 30 people.
– For us it is a comedian. They only seem to take a single number, Rasmus Sandens tells Dagbladet.
He is the CEO of Euforum Holding, which owns Telenor Arena. The stadium has a maximum capacity of 25,000 spectators. According to Sundance, it can seat between 12,000 and 15,000 seats, depending on the type of event, while at the same time complying with infection control requirements.
Max 200: With an area of more than 10,000 square metres, Telenor Arena is still only allowed to accommodate 200 guests at events under the new rules. Photo: Telenor Arena
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– Just think of a number
Sandens is receiving support from Oslo CEO Per-Ole Moen from Spykrum, who also believes it looks as if the 200 figure has been “removed out of thin air”.
“They thought of only one number, and then they took it,” Moen says.
The main living room in Oslo seats a maximum of 12,000 spectators, and it seats 8,500 people. Receive 200 has no connection.
Disclaimer: “We are starting to get terribly tired of what I experience as a simple reluctance to learn about the behavior and challenges of the industry,” says Per-Ole Moen, CEO of Oslo Spektrum. Photo: Katherine Heiberg/Oslo Spectrum
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In the Occupational Basis of Government, the professional authorities write that a percentage limit on the number of premises can be more appropriate than an absolute maximum on public occasions.
However, the recommendation has landed a maximum of 200 indoors with fixed seats, and a maximum of 20 without fixed seats.
Open a new solution
– Bored terribly
During Thursday’s press conference, Culture Minister Annette Tribergstoen (Labour) said the government was working on solutions that could make it possible to allow more spectators into large indoor spaces.
Hopefully this will be ready already next week,” Trettebergstuen said.
For larger event venues, Telenor Arena director Sundance believes that was the best of the press conference. He still fears that the government will land on a fixed ceiling – no matter the size.
Breeds: – mockery
Moen replies that this is something they should return to. This results in permanent unpredictability, he explains, making event planning nearly impossible.
We are starting to get terribly tired of what I experience as a simple reluctance to learn about the behavior of the industry and its challenges. We’ve been thinking about this for about two years, but won’t be notified until a few days after the changes go into effect.
Consider change: Culture and Gender Equality Minister Annette Trietbergstoen (Labour) has asked the Norwegian Directorate of Health and the National Institute of Health to consider changes to regulations for the number of spectators at events based on local size, and hopes the government can soon introduce such a scheme. Photo: Terje Bendiksby / NTB
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Evaluate changes
Culture Minister Trettebergstuen told Dagbladet that she understands that the limit of 200 may seem strange.
– I understand very well that it seems strange that you can only allow 200 spectators, regardless of the size of the room. It was organized this way throughout Corona by the previous government, but now we are doing something about it.
She completes:
We have asked the Norwegian Directorate of Health and the National Institute of Public Health to consider whether to adjust the number of spectators according to the size of the building. Then a large hall like Telenor Arena or Oslo Spektrum will be able to let in much more than you do today. I hope we can soon make a plan for that.
– Wasted week
Investigation required
Establishing new regulations based on district assessments requires study, Espen Rostrop Nakstad, associate health director, tells Dagbladet.
Defends the number: – The number 200 has been recommended by the World Health Organization and the Norwegian Directorate of Health based on a comprehensive evaluation that also includes professional judgment, says Assistant Director of Health Espen Rostrup Nakstad. Photo: Berit Roald / NTB
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From a professional point of view, there will also be different risks of infection based on air volume, ventilation capacity, type of activity and infection pressure in the local environment. Therefore, this should be viewed as a whole, and the government will take a position on it when the work is completed, he said.
Why is the recommended maximum limit set at exactly 200 people?
When it was recommended to return to the limitations of the old numbers, it was because of an assessment of the expected risks of infection and the need for continuous control of the spread of infection with the omicron variant. The number 200 was recommended by the FHI and the Norwegian Directorate of Health based on a comprehensive evaluation that also includes professional judgment, answers Nakstad.
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