SETTING GREAT EXAMPLE: Norway PM accepts 20,000 kroner fine, says she’s embarrassed about breaking corona rules

OSLO, APR 10: On Friday, Prime Minister Erna Solberg (H) apologized once again for breaking the infection control rules. She said she would pay the NOK 20,000 fine.

“Of course, this is embarrassing for me. I am very sorry and should not have done this,” Prime Minister Erna Solberg told NTB.

“I have previously said that if the restaurant visit results in fines, we would, of course, pay them. I apologize for what happened and will pay the fine,” she said.

Her husband Sindre Finnes will not be fined, but Solberg will thus have to pay NOK 20,000 kroner after gathering her family for her birthday party in Geilo during the winter holidays.

Maintaining public trust in the rules

Solberg herself did not participate in the dinner in Hallingstuene. Still, the police believe she was involved in the decision that led the family to eat out, that she knew how many people would participate, and that she chose which restaurant they should book a table at.

The police justified the decision by saying that it is appropriate to impose a fine in order to maintain the public’s trust in the infection control rules.

“Even though the law is the same for everyone, not everyone is the same,” police chief Ole B. Sæverud said when the police informed the public about the case on Friday.

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COURTESY norwaytoday

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