City Councilor Raymond Johansen asks Oslo people to sharpen up after a weekend with lots of party noise and little distance. Opening hours for the nightlife industry can be tightened.
This weekend is the first where the nightclubs in Oslo have had normal opening hours since March 12. The police confirm that it has been a very busy weekend with lots of fills and noises.
The mood in the city is causing unrest, believes City Council Leader Raymond Johansen (AP), who warns that new restrictions may be coming.
– We have previously introduced pour stops and other very drastic measures in Oslo, and we may do so again if we see new outbreaks of infection. The City Council will not take chances with the population’s life and health, says Johansen.
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Vote of confidence
The City Council monitors the situation closely and has close contact with the police and their own inspectors.
– Going back to regular opening hours for the restaurants was a statement of confidence to the nightlife industry and to the public. Most nightclubs meet the requirements for infection protection well, but not all, says Johansen, and continues:
– Many of those using the city behave as if the pandemic is over. That is not okay. Now the city’s inhabitants must also be aware of their responsibilities. Keep your distance, wash your hands and be a good guest at the night out.
SHARP THERE: City Council Leader Raymond Johansen (Ap) is asking Oslo people to sharpen.
Photo: Håkon Mosvold Larsen (NTB scanpix)
Police: Travel weekend
Operations manager André Kråkenes in the Oslo Police District says police logged around 170 incidents in Oslo, Asker and Bærum night through Saturday. Then a lot of drunk and many fights were reported.
Night to Sunday it has been a little quieter.
– There have been more people in the city than the night before, but the patrols report a better atmosphere. It is possible there has been an older crowd on the town tonight, Kråkenes told NTB on Sunday morning.
Even though there was some minor noise at night, people stand like herring in the barrel at the restaurants, Kråkenes told NRK. He asks people not to stand close to each other and reminds that infection control measures and distance rules still apply.
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Measures may be on hourly notice
Johansen emphasizes that the City of Oslo will strike hard where infectious claims are breached, but that at the same time it does not want to punish an entire industry.
– However, we will not hesitate to limit the serving and opening times again if the rules are consistently broken. We can do this at a few hours’ notice, he says.
He points out that the infection rates are now low in Oslo, and that the measures have produced results. Still, it is crucial that people still adhere to the advice and rules to avoid new corona outbreaks, he points out.
(© NTB)
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