Norway ends lockdown with less than 24 hours' notice sparking wild celebrations ...

Norway ends lockdown with less than 24 hours' notice sparking wild celebrations ...
Norway ends lockdown with less than 24 hours' notice sparking wild celebrations ...

Norway has lifted all lockdown restrictions with less than 24 hours notice, sparking rowdy celebrations, with mass brawls and revellers passing out in nightclub queues after 561 days of restrictions came to an end.

The Norwegian government abruptly announced on Friday it was going to lift the remaining social distancing requirements on Saturday at 4pm, meaning that nightclubs could open and restaurants and bars could fill to capacity. 

'It has been 561 days since we introduced the toughest measures in Norway in peacetime,' Prime Minister Erna Solberg told a news conference. 'Now the time has come to return to a normal daily life.'

The PM's unexpected unlocking kicked off boozy celebrations the following afternoon which lasted late into Saturday night, with an impromptu rave in Stavanger, a mass brawl in Tønsberg and no less than 50 fights reported to police in Oslo.

Neither vaccination status nor a negative test result was required for any venue, leading to blockbusting queues outside nightclubs and restaurants packed with dinner reservations as people returned to their favourite hangouts in droves.

In Tønsberg, police were called after a group of around ten young men (pictured) started scrapping outside a nightclub near the pier. Fortunately nobody was seriously injured and the police arrested a 20-year-old man

In Tønsberg, police were called after a group of around ten young men (pictured) started scrapping outside a nightclub near the pier. Fortunately nobody was seriously injured and the police arrested a 20-year-old man

Fireworks during a street party in Stavanger on Saturday evening. Thousands of people across the country went out after the government announced an end to social distancing, meaning nightclubs could open and bars and restaurants could fill to capacity for the first time in more than 500 days

Fireworks during a street party in Stavanger on Saturday evening. Thousands of people across the country went out after the government announced an end to social distancing, meaning nightclubs could open and bars and restaurants could fill to capacity for the first time in more than 500 days

Fireworks in Stavanger, a city on the western coast, on Saturday night after the prime minister ended lockdown rules

People pack the streets of Stavanger on Saturday night

Fireworks in Stavanger, a city on the western coast, on Saturday night after the prime minister ended lockdown rules

Smoke is let off during a impromptu rave on the streets of Stavanger on Saturday night

Smoke is let off during a impromptu rave on the streets of Stavanger on Saturday night

People out on the streets to celebrate the end of the COVID-19 restrictions, in Oslo, on Saturday. Police in Oslo received no less than 190 reports of disturbances, slightly less than they might expect to deal with on New Year's Eve.

People out on the streets to celebrate the end of the COVID-19 restrictions, in Oslo, on Saturday. Police in Oslo received no less than 190 reports of disturbances, slightly less than they might expect to deal with on New Year's Eve.

An ambulance takes care of the injured as Norway reopens from the coronavirus restrictions in Trondheim

An ambulance takes care of the injured as Norway reopens from the coronavirus restrictions in Trondheim

Queues for the clubs in Trondheim were so long that several people fainted while waiting to get inside.

Police in the city reported a generally good-natured atmosphere, with revellers singing the national anthem in the streets.

In Tønsberg, police were called after a group of around ten young men started scrapping outside a nightclub near the pier. Fortunately nobody was seriously injured and the police arrested a 20-year-old man. 

The chaos on the streets provoked an angry response from some, including nightclub manager Johan Hoeeg Haanes in Oslo, who said the prime minister

read more from dailymail.....

PREV China’s cash promises in South-East Asia are coming up short, report says mogaznewsen
NEXT In news vacuum, rumours and concern swirl over Catherine mogaznewsen