[ad_1]
In October, the government announced that it was working on a new law against the pandemic, in order to be able to limit the crowds in, for example, public transport and shopping centers.
Initially, the goal was for the law to come into force this summer, but on Wednesday, Social Affairs Minister Lena Hallengren (s) and Culture and Democracy Minister Amanda Lind (MP) announced that the law could become a reality through starting in March. According to Ekot’s information, the Riksdag has pushed for the law to be enacted more quickly.
In the current proposal, which will be submitted for consultation, the pandemic law runs between March 15, 2021 and March 2022. According to the Minister of Culture, the use of the Public Order Law, which the government has applied so far to limit public gatherings to eight people, has led to certain injustices.
– Culture and sport have to live with much stricter rules than, for example, public transport and shopping centers, says Amanda Lind.
People can be fined
In addition to local transportation and shopping venues, the Pandemic Law will include more places for recreational and cultural activities, such as gyms, hot springs, libraries, museums, zoos, camps, and nightclubs.
Among other things, the government wants to be able to limit opening hours, safety distances and the number of visitors. Activities that violate the regulations can be sentenced to a fine or closure.
– As a last resort, if infection control is not enough, it is possible to make a decision on closure to avoid congestion, says Lena Hallengren.
At the same time, the government wants to be able to introduce a ban on people staying in certain public places, if there is a risk of congestion. This applies, for example, to squares, parks and bathing areas. People who violate the regulations can be fined.
– The individual who violates the regulations that restrict access to a public place can be sentenced to a fine, says Hallengren.
It is proposed that the county administrative boards decide on regional rules and be responsible for oversight. Police should support supervision on demand. For example, if a person refuses to leave a vehicle it can be removed by the police or security guard, the government writes in the proposal.
The temporary law was never used
Although vaccination of the elderly and risk groups will start in January, the Minister of Social Affairs believes that the pandemic law can be useful.
– We need to continue to make sure we can maintain the required distances and have precise regulations. We are not getting rid of the pandemic, although we want to make it very clear that a vaccine naturally feels like a relief.
Already this spring, the Swedish Parliament drafted a temporary crisis law, an amendment to the Infection Control Act limited to three months, which would give the government greater powers to act against the spread of the infection. But the law was never used. According to the Minister of Social Affairs, it did not work, something that has been questioned by the opposition.
– It was aimed at the initial stage of the pandemic, where it was about being able to close operations urgently. It has become clear that it was easier, for example, to make changes to the Restaurant Law, which regulates a certain activity. We’ve taken note of that, says Lena Hallengren.
