On Friday, the people of Bergen wake up to one stricter infection control regime, after what is referred to as «The fourth wave of infection» has washed over the capital of western Norway.
– In sum, this is serious. Although many have been vaccinated, the danger is not over, said acting city council leader Lubna Boby Jaffery at a press conference on Thursday afternoon.
In the last 24 hours, 82 new infections have been registered in Bergen, and it has therefore been decided to introduce a number of new measures.
Among other things, there will be a bandage order from Friday at restaurants, shops and events where it is not possible to keep one meter away.
TIGHTENING IN: Following an increase in infection in Bergen, several restrictions will be introduced from Friday, including in the nightlife. But the industry is largely satisfied: – The worst that can happen is that a new liquor stop is introduced which leads to a new round of layoffs. The companies cannot afford that, says Ole Michael Bjørndal, subject director for business policy at NHO Reiseliv. Photo: Stian Lysberg Solum / NTB
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Tried for a year
The sound level in places where music is played should also be adjusted to a level that allows guests to chat together at a distance of one meter.
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It is also opened up that the serving time is the same for both outdoor and indoor dining, so that guests are more spread out.
– It is a fantastic admission that it is possible to think creatively in these times. We have been trying for over a year to make politicians understand that it is better for people to sit outside. It is not appropriate for people to be pushed in after half past one, says Tom Greni, who owns the nightclubs Ricks and Zachen in the center of Bergen, to Børsen.
He is so pleased that he describes the decision as “absolutely incredible”.
– It’s almost impossible to believe.
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Greni is also brilliantly satisfied that there will now be a requirement to register at the nightclubs, and also agrees that it is important that the music is muted.
– You almost have to do that to have control over people. The same applies to having enough doormen and fences outside the restaurants. Unfortunately, it has to happen these days. We experience that people jump over fences and climb in windows, and when the music is too loud, they start dancing. So we have to have measures, says Greni.
Boom fails – arrive late
Satisfied
Ole Michael Bjørndal, subject director for business policy at NHO Reiseliv, is also mainly satisfied with the measures.
Bjørndal points out, among other things, that extended pouring time on outdoor seating ensures less congestion on the premises.
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– The fact that you get extended serving time is positive because you spread the guests in a larger room and you can “hold on” to the guests longer. It can increase sales, and it needs the restaurants after a year and a half with strict restrictions. The total is decent and ensures that you can continue operations, without overly intrusive measures. Now we hope that these measures are good enough, he says and adds:
– The worst that can happen is that you introduce a new bar stop that leads to a new round of layoffs. Businesses cannot afford that.
Widespread with “ghost restaurants”
– Do not crisis over
– This shows with all possible clarity that we are not done with the crisis. We will not be until we have finished the meter. Everyone who lives by gathering people will be in this until the crisis is over. Regardless of how “normal” we manage to live, says Rhiannon Hovden Edwards, head of Virke culture and experiences.
– There are many who are completely dependent on the authorities following up with good measures for the business community, Edwards continues.
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– We must be prepared to live with such measures for a while longer?
– We have to live with that for as long as it is necessary. Then you should rather have a discussion about what is necessary.
However, Edwards is aware of the business community’s expectations of the authorities:
– When the authorities impose some restrictions, they must also ensure that they have compensation schemes that create the safety net that is still needed.
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Virke has repeatedly asked the government and the Storting to prioritize the hardest hit actors first in the queue, when crisis aid is to be distributed, and that the support scheme is extended for those who need it most.
– The schemes must be present for those who need them, with the longest possible horizon. We fear that they will be wound up too soon, says Virke-top.
– We are on guard
New wave of infection
The new measures come at a time when four people have been admitted to hospitals associated with the municipality, and a significant proportion of the municipality’s residents have received the first vaccine dose.
However, the numbers speak for themselves. In one week, Bergen municipality has experienced a doubling of infection cases, from 148 in week 29 to 301 in week 30, according to acting chief infection control doctor Kjell Haug.
– To the extent that we operate with waves and numbers, this must be called Bergen’s fourth wave, Haug told Dagbladet on Wednesday this week.
New infection control measures in Bergen
Bergen has had a rising infection trend since the beginning of July. On Thursday, the municipality announced the introduction of local infection control measures, these are the measures:
* Duty to register and identify guests at restaurants.
* The lowering time will be the same both outside and inside the nightclubs.
* Obligation to use a bandage at restaurants when employees and guests move in the premises and it is not possible to keep a distance of one meter.
* Duty to adjust the sound level in places where music is played to such a level that guests can talk to each other at a distance of one meter.
* There will also be visitation restrictions at nursing homes.
* Duty to use face masks in shops, events and the like if you can not comply with more than one meter distance.
* Recommendation of a maximum of ten guests in private homes. Fully vaccinated get by.
(Sources: Bergen Municipality, NTB)
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