Norway's Prime Minister Erna Solberg Fined By Police Over COVID-19 Restrictions

Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg. (Wikimedia Commons/Erik Norrud)

JAKARTA - Norwegian police said on Friday local time they had fined Prime Minister Erna Solberg for violating the social distancing rules of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Prime Minister Solberg broke this rule while holding a family meeting to celebrate her birthday. Police Chief Ole Saeverud said the Prime Minister was fined 20,000 Norwegian crowns, or about $2,352.

The two-term prime minister apologized last month, for hosting an event to celebrate his 60th birthday with 13 family members at a mountain resort in late February, as reported by Reuters Friday, April 9.

While government rules, in the midst of efforts to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic, the government prohibits gatherings attended by more than 10 people.

The police said that in most cases they rarely immediately set fines. However, because the prime minister is the leader of the government to impose restrictions, it is subject to fines.

"Although the law is the same for all, all are not equal before the law. This is to maintain public confidence in infection control," Saeverud said, justifying the fine.

Meanwhile, on the Lifeinnorway, during norway's winter holidays in February, the prime minister and his family travelled to Geilo, a popular ski resort, to celebrate his 60th birthday.

They live in separate apartments, in connection with restrictions on coronavirus in Norway. However, the rules at the time allowed private events of no more than ten people.

More than ten people gathered for dinner on two consecutive nights. The first 13 family members attended a dinner at Hallingstuene, though they sat at separate tables. Solberg was not present, having been summoned to Oslo for urgent business.

The following night, a group of 14 people including Solberg gathered for a meal in one apartment.

"His condition was judged by national regulations at the time," Sæverud, who stressed that family gatherings were considered private events.

In value, the fine imposed can be paid by a prime minister. However, Solberg who received high appreciation for the successful handling of COVID-19 in Norway, this fine became a hard slap. Norway is one of the countries with a low level of COVID-19, with 684 deaths.