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On Wednesday, the Minister of Social Affairs Lena Hallengren (S) and the Minister of Culture Amanda Lind (MP) presented proposals for a new regulation within the Pandemic Law. The government submitted proposals for five areas that will now be referred for consultation, including adaptations to the restrictions that currently apply to public meetings and public events.
Furthermore, it is proposed that museums and art galleries be covered by the so-called “restriction ordinance”. This means that those activities would operate under the same rules that apply today, for example, to stores and gyms.
– These businesses can now stay open in a more controlled manner with infection control rules similar to those currently applied to stores, says Amanda Lind and continues:
– We now propose that everyone, both museums and public and private art galleries, should apply under this regulation.
Changes for museums and art galleries can take effect on March 11.
Jeanette Gustafsdotter, General Secretary In museums in Sweden, he is very positive about the proposal.
– Making places infection-proof is absolutely first, finally now we see a proposal with a more precise regulation. It has been very paradoxical that stores that have much less space than museums have been able to receive visitors, he says.
According to Jeanette Gustafsdotter, if the proposal becomes a reality, it will mean a lot to the companies that can reopen.
– But it also means a lot to visitors. We can see that there has been a lot of pressure from digital visitors. When some museums were open for a short period during the pandemic year, many visitors testified that it was safe and that it was important for them to come to safety during such a difficult time.
Many of the country’s museums It has been put in economic crisis by restrictions as a result of the pandemic.
– Between 50 and 96 percent of visitors have been lost.
How many museums will survive this crisis?
– It is too early to answer at the moment. We look forward to financial support to survive this crisis. A museum is much more than a visit, it is collections and research. If a museum goes bankrupt, we lose the memory of society.
Regarding audience restrictions So the government proposes that they adapt to, for example, if the activity takes place indoors with public without designated places, seated public with designated places or outdoors.
– These activities should be regulated, but restrictions should be proportionate, says Amanda Lind.
The government did not present a proposal on how the restrictions should be adapted in practice, but leaves it to the Public Health Agency to comment, for example, on the number of different public activities. The government has not presented a date for the presentation of the rules adapted for public meetings and public events, but refers to the fact that they can only become relevant when the infection control situation has improved.
– There is a significant risk of a third wave of infection, says Lena Hallengren.
Stefan Forsberg, chef for the Stockholm Concert Hall welcomes the proposals.
– For a long time we have talked about the need to find opportunities more adapted according to the appearance of the premises and for the public standing or sitting. We welcome it and have been asking for it for a long time, he says.
He also hopes that the government will take a closer look at the scenarios for the future, with respect to the infection situation, but also the vaccination program. The concert hall has continued its activities in digital format during the pandemic and Stefan Forsberg says they are prepared to open the doors as soon as there is a clear date.
To ensure operations in the fall, he also hopes the government will review the possibilities for what he calls “guaranteed support” tailored to businesses.
– We appreciate all crisis packages, but believe that warranty support would be more specific after each business. But the most important thing is what happens next, that we have a chance to welcome the audience back.
Svensk Lives trade association Operations manager Joppe Pihlgren says the proposals are in line with what has long been requested by the music scene.
– Before, people could stand like packaged herring in shopping malls at the same time that they were banned from going to concerts with social distancing. Somewhere there is an erosion of trust in restraints. So I think you will benefit from going this route.
What does this mean for the festivals this summer?
– It opens that it will be possible to hold concerts and festivals already this summer. It is still early and a lot can happen, but if the conditions clear up, it will suddenly be possible to start planning events in a better way.
Friluftsmuseet Skansen that has been closed since November 27 is also covered by the proposals that will now be submitted for consultation. CEO John Brattmyhr is cautiously positive after the press conference.
– The Minister of Social Affairs, Lena Hallengren, spoke about the possibility of closing sectors of society and the Minister of Culture, Amanda Lind, about the possibility of opening museums with the support of the Pandemic Act. It is not entirely easy to interpret the government, but I choose to be hopeful.
So how does Skansen plan for next spring?
– We plan to open the outdoor section and the Baltic Sea Science Center on April 1, according to the rule that each guest must be ten square meters. We will not open for visits to our houses and farms that are relatively small and where restrictions are not easy to follow, but we hope to be able to open them later in the season, says John Brattmyhr.
