Due to the ongoing pandemic, it is important that event organisers are aware of any rules regarding social distance and the number of participants allowed. Please note that these rules can change at short notice.
Rules and restrictions for events
The number of guests that are allowed at an event depends on the type of event. In all cases, it must be possible to keep a distance of 1 metre between all attendees. The latest information related to events and gatherings is available at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health's website.
Guidelines for hotels and accommodation establishments
The Norwegian Hospitality Association (NHO Reiseliv) has developed guidelines for hotels and venues in conjunction with guidelines from the Norwegian government and health authorities. Visit NHO Reiseliv's website to download specific information about infection control measures for the following segments:
- Safe service of food and beverages
- Safe accommodation
- Safe adventures
- Camping
Here is a summary of the measurements:
- Guests and employees with any symptoms should stay home
- Minimise congestion in the hotel reception, main areas etc. Consider implementing measures to avoid queues.
- Payments should be made by card or cashless
- Encourage washing of hands/use of anti-bacterial on arrival
- Ensure increased cleaning of all exposed surfaces
- Ensure increased cleaning of hotel rooms between guests. Remove decorating items such as pillows and blankets that are not cleaned regularly.
- With a confirmed case of COVID-19 there should be conducted a disinfection cleaning of the hotel and areas where the guest/employee have spent time
- Facilitate one-metre distance between tables in restaurants
- Limitation of 5-6 guests per table, but exceptions can be made for larger families or groups staying together, or by other measurements that will compensate. For example, increased distances between tables and guests, increased time between table settings etc.
- Avoid sharing of menus, cutlery, bottles of ketchup, water pitchers, saltshakers, and all other food and equipment meant for sharing.
- Employees must be able to keep one-metre distance to each other during continuous work at kitchens etc. It is ok to pass each other or stand closer for short periods of time.
- Ensure a one-metre distance between participants in meetings and courses.
- Swimming pools, saunas, gyms etc. will be held closed until further notice.
- Make sure employees are well trained in new measurements and guidelines.
- Employees should be in fixed groups if possible, to avoid transmissions between employees.
Measurements put in place by hotel chains
Many of the hotel chains have implemented safety measures for meetings and conferences. See what measures Thon Hotels has put in place, for example.
Plan ahead
We hope that the MICE industry will get back to normal in the near future. In the meantime, you can always start making plans for your coming Norwegian event!