Cultural organizations urge Norwegian government to roll out corona certificate quickly

A letter from six of the country’s cultural largest organizations to the health authorities has urged for the temporary use of corona certificates to help cultural life blossom again.

200 guests a “discretionary” figure

The government’s easing of infection measure controls this week have done little to help those in the cultural sector, according to an open letter to health authorities this week. The letter, written by six of the country’s largest cultural organizations, believes that the best way forward is for the temporary use of corona certificates to help facilitate cultural events taking place again.

The government mandate of a maximum of 200 people, for cultural events, was discussed on the NRK show “Debate”.

Morten Gjelten, Director og the Norwegian Theater and Orchestra Association (NTO) called the number “utterly incomprehensible.” Bjørn Guldvog, health director, however, said that number was “discretionary” and that the government had asked them “to look more closely at this…and we will, of course, do that.”

Cultural life and industries must be a priority now

The NTO was one of six cultural organizations, along with the Norwegian House of Culture, Norwegian Concert Organizers, Virke, Creo, and Spekter that has pushed, in an open letter, for the broad use of corona certificates for domestic use.

Hans Ole Rian, general manager of Creo, does not understand why the government has been so delayed in the implementation of corona certificates for domestic use.

Rain was exasperated with the delay in the use of domestic corona certificates. Talking to the newspaper VG, he said that “we have been patient and understanding, but now it must be our turn. Now cultural life and cultural industries must be given priority.”

Norwegian parliament - Stortinget — Stortinget (Norwegian Parliament): parts of the cultural sector still protest here on January 19. Photo: Ørn E. Borgen / NTB

Protest planned for January 19

For many in the cultural industry though, the limiting of audiences to 200 has not been welcomed.

Karianne Jæger, producer of Scenekvelder (which produces musicals for Folketeatret) told VG of the plans for demonstrations outside the Storting on January 19.

She said the protest would “try to bring the entire industry together to signal that strict infection control measures are suffocating the cultural sector…now the cultural industry must gather to fight.”

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